2010 Alexander McQueen Orchid Print Silk Jacquard & Tulle Asymmetric Bustle Gown

This magnificent lifetime Alexander McQueen orchid print silk jacquard and black tulle asymmetric bustle gown is an extraordinary example from the last fully-realized collection he designed before his tragic passing. Alexander McQueen, one of the most revolutionary designers of the late 20th and early 21st centuries, built his legacy on romanticism sharpened with danger, technical mastery, and storytelling that pushed fashion into the realm of myth. His work permanently altered how the world understands couture, theatre, and the body itself. 

This hauntingly beautiful collection was inspired by the whaling communities of the Celtic North — specifically the widows who watched the waves for husbands who never returned. That poetic melancholy is woven directly into the gown’s silhouette: the bodice is shaped with a gently scooped bateau neckline and sculpted shoulder straps that frame the collarbone, while the skirt unfurls asymmetrically to one side in a bustle manner, echoing both sea and historical mourning garments. The fabric itself is spectacular — a shimmering silk jacquard in saturated shades of fuchsia, magenta, violet, ink-black, and ice-blue, forming an abstract orchid pattern that reads almost like a Rorschach. At the hem, a cascade of inky black tulle peeks out beneath the brocade, creating unexpected texture and adding a ghostlike drift with every step. The back of the gown reveals some of its most striking construction: a dramatic, sculptural bustle skirting that sweeps outward and trails behind the wearer, along with McQueen’s signature diagonal zipper — not just functional but a design gesture slicing across the dress. Inside, a full interior bustier corset is built into the garment, anchoring the silhouette in true McQueen couture structure and ensuring you feel both supported and cinched. Pieces from this collection are profoundly significant — not only because of their beauty, but because they represent the final chapter of McQueen’s own hand and imagination. This gorgeous archival gown is a breathtaking artifact from one of the greatest designers who ever lived.

This 2010 pre-fall Alexander McQueen designer gown is in beautiful condition with no rips, stains or holes. Perfectly working back diagonal zipper and additional built-in bustier. Highly wearable and an investment piece that will continue to increase in value.