Alexander McQueen goes on brilliantly and reverently with Sarah Burton at the helm

 

Paris Fashion Week for Spring/Summer collections 2011 wrapped up last week and the moment that the fashion world had been waiting for came as with Alexander McQueen's ready-to-wear collection. It launched without the founder of McQueen label: Lee McQueen.

Since the death of the acclaimed designer by an  alleged suicide last February, the direction of the McQueen label has been one of the looming questions within the fashion circle. And though Sarah Burton, who had worked with McQueen for 14 years as his assistant, as well as having attended London's Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design as Lee did, was named Head of Design for Women's Wear while McQueen was still alive, few could imagine how the house could recover and forge on given such a devastating loss.  As Anna Wintour said, "His passing mounts an insurmountable loss."

L'enfant terrible's style and personality defined the look and convictions of the London-based brand.  And after McQueen's too-short life ended, there were even talks of weather or not the Gucci Group (the parent company of the fashion house), saw a future for the brand.

But when Burton sent out her version of the McQueen stamp in Paris last week, there were no more doubts.

As each piece walked out, all the questions about her skills were erased--and by the time the final garment (pictured above) graced the runway, the unanimous verdict was in:  Sarah Burton's interpretation of the McQueen vision is the mere reincarnation of the of the artist himself. Except--and all the critics agreed--he was no longer suffering, which meant his muse no longer looked crucified while wearing brilliantly designed clothes.

"I think McQueen is all about very strong women, but I wanted them [the garments] to feel tender as well," said the new reigning McQueen. In fact, some of the pieces in white, even had what appeared like angelic wings attached to the back--perhaps as to imply that Lee was finally in a peaceful place.

"Lee and McQueen was all about telling a story --[about] women who have lost their identity, and so I wanted the women to look to these pieces to  express their individuality," elaborated the newly appointed Creative Chief Officer.  Indeed, the McQueen woman has certainly managed to hold on to the warrior title for this Spring/Summer collection of 2011 , the only difference is, she can breath now.

See the full Alexander McQueen S/S 2011 collection below: