McQueen mourned
Right in the heart of London,
England, nearing the end of
International Fashion Week, a
magnificent celebration took place
that summoned a ton of famous
fashion icons and celebrities. You
can see how loved someone was by
the amount of people that turn up
to their funeral, especially when
they die young; a friend of mine
died a few summers ago and the
funeral service was overflowing
with people whose lives she had
touched. It brings a smile to my
face and a sense of comfort in my
heart to know that a year later,
McQueen is still being remembered
and honoured and is far from
being forgotten. Fashion week
wasn't quite the same without him
— everyone is stuck wondering, if
he had been with us still, what
miraculous creations he might
have dreamed up. It was always
what I looked forward to the most.
The ceremony took place in a
church that actually seemed like a
location McQueen would have
chosen for a fashion show. On the
chilly morning it gave off a gothic
feel and everyone came dressed
fabulously — most were head to toe
in McQueen. Sarah Jessica Parker
was there wearing a stunning white
gown with a long black trench, her
hair in an elegant and appropriate
up-do. Naomi Campbell came
looking fabulous in feathers, as
well as Kate Moss looking sombre
but beautiful.
Stella McCartney came, as well
as Vogue's editor-in-chief, Anna
Wintour, who spoke beautiful
words describing McQueen as "a
complex and gifted young man …
who as a child loved nothing more
than to sit on the roof of his tower
block and watch the birds circling
overhead." Addresses were also
given by Suzy Menkes, a British
fashion reporter who had attended
every single one of McQueen's
shows; Shaun Leane, a jeweller
who collaborated with McQueen
creating some of his most stunning
pieces created; and Philip Treacy, a
famous hat designer.
The music, however, was the
most beautiful and breathtaking
part of the service. I would have
given anything to have been there
— I cannot imagine the feeling, it
gives me shivers just thinking
about it. Michael Nyman performed
The Heart Asks Pleasure
First, a piece he created for Jane
Campion's The Piano. A talented
woman I adore and admire performed
as well: Björk gave an
exhilarating performance of
Gloomy Sunday, famed for its
interpretation by Billie Holiday.
She wore McQueen's famous
pierced wooden wings and a skirt
of trailing ostrich plumes, and was
one of the best dressed there.