Organza, leather, glass and wood beads, metal, enamel, lace, Swarovski crystals, flamboyant feathers, jacquard, horse hair, clam shells, wool, cotton, tweed and a whole lot of imagination went into his costumes. He claims that his creativity is inspired by the ‘beauty and savagery of the natural world”. It seemed like he deliberately made his gorgeous models look unconventional so as to enable us to see their “inner beauty”. It was as though he wanted to unify the world with his art as his western outfits were inspired by tribal Africa, traditional Japan, ornate India and exotic Turkey. At the same time he put modern technology to use in his own unique way. All along, there was an intriguingly dark side to his creations.

Today we visited ‘Savage Beauty’, an exhibition of fashion outfits and accessories by one of the most celebrated fashion designers of the present times at the V&A. It has been so popular that it is open round the clock for 5 months.

“I was sure of myself and my sexuality and I’ve got nothing to hide. I went straight from my mother’s womb onto the gay parade.”

Alexander McQueen (1969-2010) knew he was gay by the time he was 6 and told his family at the age of 18.

He was a keen scuba diver and loved his dogs. Clearly, he was a very sensitive soul. His close friend, Isabella Blow ended her life in 2007 and he lost his Mum to cancer 10 days before he decided he had had enough. Sadly, despite all his creativity he was unable to find a creative way out of his darkness.

His last show took place in Paris in March 2010. Fashion editors thought it was hard to watch because it showed how McQueen was obsessed with the afterlife.

“Look after my dogs, sorry, I love you, Lee.”, said his suicide note.

RIP Mr McQueen. Your light continues to illuminate the world.