Culture Lesson: Famous McQueens

Alexander McQueen, designer (1969–2010). McQueen was a British designer known for his "unconventional designs and shock tactics." He was awarded British Designer of the Year four time from 1996 through 2003. Photographs of his work are below, and additional information is available in the resources at the bottom of this post.



Steve McQueen, actor (1930–1980). This is the McQueen Old People probably know best, as he was the volatile movie star known as The King of Cool. McQueen starred in The Great Escape, The Thomas Crown Affair, Bullitt, The Towering Inferno, and The Getaway (among many many others). He was nominated for an Academy Award for his role in The Sand Pebbles.



His son Chad McQueen is an actor, and his grandson, Steven R. McQueen, is an also actor, on the CW's Vampire Diaries.

Steve McQueen, artist (b. 1969). This Steve McQueen is probably confused with the Other Steve McQueen. This Steve McQueen is a British artist and film maker. His feature film directorial debut was the 2008 film Hunger.



McQueens other films are black and white silent films. Here is a clip from 1997's Deadpan.



Here is McQueen talking about his work in the 53rd Venice Biennial:


Additional Resources:
Alexander McQueen
Alexander McQueen, Wikipedia
Remembering Alexander McQueen, The New Yorker
Alexander McQueen Label Overview, New York Magazine
Steve McQueen (actor), Wikipedia
Steve McQueen, IMDB
Steve McQueen, Official Site
Steve McQueen (artist), Wikipedia
Race issue a two-edged sword for black contemporary artists, The Washington Post
Steve McQueen: Profile, BBC