Alexander McQueen's Legacy Honored at the Met Gala

Jennifer Lopez attends the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala celebrating 'Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty' in New York on Monday, May 2, 2011.

Just days since the world watched the newly regal Kate Middleton pay tribute to the fashion industry's arguably most provocative visionary in her unique wedding dress, the annual Costume Institute Gala Benefit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art honored the same namesake of the talented British designer, Alexander McQueen.

Held at the museum in New York City on Monday, May 2, the gala is the kick-off event for this year's exhibition titled "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty," celebrating the designer's iconic designs and brilliant contributions to the fashion arena.

Many of the night's attendees had known McQueen well, giving the event more meaning as they honored a colleague. Co-chair of the event Stella McCartney, who dressed Madonna, Rhianna, Kate Winslet, Kate Hudson, and Gwyneth Paltrow, revealed she knew Lee, as those closest to McQueen called him, "for a long, long time." With a chuckle, she recalled their university years saying "all the stories I have of Lee are too filthy to actually talk about."

Sarah Jessica Parker, who attended the Met gala in 2006 with McQueen, his only appearance at the yearly event, reflected on that special night and his character. "He's shy, he's not comfortable always in environments like these but I find that charming and I empathize with that," she said. "We got through the evening quite well." McQueen was known as an introvert among his peers in the fashion industry, quiet and introspective with seemingly much going on in his genius mind.

Madonna remembered meeting McQueen for the first time. "If you were with him with a small group of people, he was terribly mischievous. We did have a French fry fight one night but that's all I can say," said the smirking artist. She also admitted to an air of intimidation that surrounded the designer, explaining that "when people are really quiet you're not sure what their thinking."

Sarah Burton is the current creative director for the Alexander McQueen label and designer of the royal wedding dress of Middleton who married Prince William on Friday, April 29. Burton worked intimately with her mentor McQueen up until he took his life in February 2010 and maintains his creative vision for the label. Burton was chosen by Middleton to work with her on creating a one of a kind gown that is being called the dress of the century.

McQueen's vision and aesthetic continue to be preserved and lauded by peers and fans alike. Honorary chairs of the Gala Benefit were Salma Hayek and Francois-Henri Pinault, both donning Alexander McQueen. The "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty" exhibition will be on display through July 31, 2011.

Source: http://www.fashionwiredaily.com/first_word/fashion/article.weml?id=3554