A Review of Alexander McQueen’s AW21 Womenswear Collection

Introducing Alexander McQueen’s Autumn Winter 2021 collection, Creative Director, Sarah Burton introduces, “Anemones.” Speaking about the inspiration of the Anemone flower for the collection, Burton commented, “It feels like now is a time for healing, for breathing new life, for exploring echoes from the past to enrich our future. More than ever, a sense of humanity, of the team working together with a single aim – to make something beautiful, something meaningful – feels both precious and important.” 

She continued, “We looked at water, for its healing properties, and at anemones. Anemones are the most ephemeral flowers, here made permanent in cloth. The women wearing the anemone dresses almost become like flowers, like their embodiment, their character – but amplified, grounded, radiant and strong."

When looking at the collection’s offerings of shoes, the label’s latest Wander Chelsea boots, which were highly sought after last season, make a comeback in black leather, along with the Tread Heel Chelsea boots in black leather and Deck sneakers in black and white leather paired with the bold, voluminous yet structured dresses accessorized with molten metal triple-layered necklaces, earrings, rings and cuffs.

Leather jacket details add a masculine and tough edge to ultra femme printed dresses, each cinched in at the waist to further enunciate an hourglass shape.

Peplummed, corseted denim jackets and bomber jacket sleeves juxtaposed against heritage wool fabrics used in tailored suits continue to provoke conversation via texture with a subtle nod to streetwear. Moreover, there is a macabre undertone to the large red floral print that almost resembles blood, bleeding out from one area of a dress across it.

To accent further, flower stone jeweled rings and earrings in black, red and ice pink also decorate the toughened up romantic looks. Chunky chain necklaces, pavé bracelets, multi-rings, necklaces and asymmetric ear sets and punk earrings, ear cuffs, multi-stacked rings and stacked bracelets pay homage to the ever present punk elements that were originally introduced to the label by its founder, Lee McQueen.