High fashion, or haute couture, is often characterized by its high quality materials, attention to detail, and trendsetting nature. Many designers often use unusual cuts or accents on the clothing in their collections, but names like Alexander McQueen’s have brought high fashion to the level of art: clothing not necessarily for functionality, but for its own aesthetic sake. With your wedding outfit, you can take some inspiration from high fashion to add some drama to your look. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

Butterflies

Alexander McQueen’s use of butterflies as a motif is frequent and usually one of the first things people think of when his work comes to mind. To incorporate this theme into your look in a subtle way, add one or two butterflies in places like your hairpiece or shoulder. Feel free to pick any kind of butterfly that suits your look, too. Nature’s provided you with a dazzling array of colours and patterns, after all!

Feathers

Another important Alexander McQueen motif is feathers and bird wings. For your particular outfit, subtle use of feathers can add quite a bit of interest. Again, there are many colours and patterns to choose from depending on the look you want to go for. Keep things all white for a more otherworldly, angelic look or add some dark colours for more drama. The options are almost endless.

Scales

Last but not least, scales. Whether they’re meant to imitate fish scales, snake scales, or even scales of armour, these are a recurring and gorgeous design in McQueen’s work. If you’re keen on this look, you can keep the scale accents subtle (perhaps as body glue-ons, sewn on your bodice, or wherever you feel appropriate) or you can make them a main and standout feature of your outfit.

 

– Samantha Muraca