Alexander McQueen Resort 2014 Dress

Leather has always been a defining material in Alexander McQueen’s oeuvre; a medium which allowed the designer to explore the tension between beauty and brutality. Leather appeared in many of his most memorable collections, sculpting sharp jackets, corsetry, and dresses.

This dress was designed by Sarah Burton as part of the house's Resort 2014 collection. Burton drew inspiration from 1940s workwear and the result is a characteristically McQueen tension between utility and sensuality. Crafted from taut black calf leather with a butter-soft handle, the dress references the collection’s leather apron silhouettes, which WWD described as “elevated utilitarian turned sweet and sexy.” Vogue noted a strong sense of Americana throughout the collection, likening a nubuck calfskin dress to “the product of an artisanal studio in the bowels of the Hollywood Hills.”

The design features wide straps and a panelled front with a square neckline that gives the appearance of a corset. Though it is unboned, the structured leather performs the work of cinching the waist and lifting the bust. A utilitarian belt with silver-tone hardware further defines the silhouette, while the silver fittings reference another McQueen house code. Boxy patch pockets introduce angular detailing at the hips. The dress is lined with black silk. It fastens at the centre back with a hidden black zip and hook-and-eye clasp.

Although this black colourway did not appear on the runway, it was produced for stores: at McQueen, black leather is synonymous with sex appeal and sex sells.

• Alexander McQueen Resort 2014 • Calf leather • Wide straps • Square-neck • Patch pockets • Leather belt • Made in Italy

Fabric: Calf leather
Lining: Silk
Size on Label: Italian size 38, UK 8, US 4
Stretch: No
Care: Dry clean only
Condition: Excellent

Waist: 66 cm (26 inches)
Hips: 91.5 cm (36 inches)
Length: 63.5 cm (25 inches)