When it comes to Alexander McQueen, it is never short of gothic drama. McQueen’s Fall 2025 collection felt like entering Charles Dickens’s universe. It was like watching a play, overlooking all the characters playing their parts coming to life. It’s Sean McGirr’s third collection in a row. He understands Alexander McQueen’s vision and speaks the language McQueen spoke. He follows in his footsteps, also contributing to the brand with his story, experience, and language.
For the Fall 2025 collection, McGirr draws inspiration from the 19th-century Dandy. For those who don’t know, Dandyism was a movement in the 19th century, an era of romanticisation where certain men of society of high stature would dress in exaggerated and decorated garments with high artificiality, defying all societal norms of the time.
These dandies were looked down upon, giving society an unusually shocking factor. McGirr, in his notes, said, “To me, Dandyism is the ultimate act of adornment; deeply personal, playful, and transgressive.”The entire collection is interpretations and renditions taken from Charles Dickens’s Night Walks, in which the author becomes nocturnal and treats his insomnia by sauntering through the streets of London.
The models walked down the ramp in sombre but gothic 19th-century Victorian-influenced outfits. Featured structured silhouette blazers, embroidered robes, petite waists, and high, pointy, padded shoulders. Embellished masks almost cover the models’ faces, layering with fishnet bodysuits. Stunning hats designed by Phillip Treacy gave a mysterious aesthetic.
A string of styles that was hard to miss included cascading, flowing, soft ruffled hem ensembles, which created a watery, airy illusion. I have to repeat that ruffles and flounces seem to be the main characters of the fall ready-to-wear 2025.
Another look that comes to mind is the coral dress with detail on the sleeves and a pleated collar worn with fishnet stockings and strappy boots in a matching hue. It was like a pop in the middle of the collection. Unfinished, tattered, ruffled hem button-down shirts with flounce collar detail and long overcoats kept me in awe. Lots of textured patterns on the knitted styles were seen as well.
The ruff collars sometimes acted as neckpieces. The over-the-top furry coats and ultra-huge shoulder pad tops with ruffles and gathering gave an extra voluminous stir. My favourite look was a gloxinia windbreaker jacket with a ruffle asymmetrical layered skirt. Adding a good old Victorian element.
The McQueen’s collection was not just this or that, coinciding with one genre or the other. Every look contradicts itself, not bound by any conformity of life. Breaking the common norms and traditions. The unfamiliar but fresh designs were reinvented and reconstructed to the taste of what Alexander McQueen was always known for. McGirr successfully channelled his imaginative hat, showing fluidity and glamour in every ensemble, giving a touch of surprise inspiration from history.
So, what did you like about this collection? What will be the common theme in Fall 2025? Stay tuned for such content!