Farfetch.com: Alexander McQueen Exhibit Breaks Viewing Records

LONDON, May 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

An exhibit celebrating the life and work of late fashion designer Alexander McQueen has broken attendance records within its opening weeks at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, proving that Britain's love affair with luxury fashion continues, say farfetch.com

The Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art has at long last opened its doors to one of its most highly anticipated exhibitions celebrating the life and career of one of fashion's most important designers. Entitled "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty", the exhibition has exceed expectations and broken attendance records in its first few weeks of opening and luxury fashion retailer farfetch.com (http://www.farfetch.com/), which gives customers access to the best designer boutiques in one easy to shop website, say this shows that interest in McQueen's work, and luxury fashion in general, is increasing.

Paul Brine, spokesperson for farfetch.com, comments: "This exhibition pays homage to a truly outstanding designer who helped revolutionise the fashion world and was on the cutting edge up until his tragic, premature death in 2010. The public's unprecedented interest in the exhibition shows that our love of opulent fashion is on the rise and we can expect it to stay on an upward trend."

On the exhibition's opening day on May 4, over 5,500 people walked through the doors and guided tours had to be suspended until crowds thinned. Prior to this, the busiest day in the museum's history was in 2005 when 5,400 people arrived to see Vincent van Gogh: The Drawings. Approximately 200 items are featured in the exhibition, which spans the 19 years of McQueen's career. Signature designs such as the bumster trousers, the kimono jacket, and the Origami frock coat, as well as rarities from his graduate collection at Central St. Martins are on display in the Museum, as is work from the unfinished final collection of 2010.

Brine reiterates that McQueen has had a profound effect upon the fashion world that will reverberate for generations to come. He comments: "No other designer since Yves Saint Laurent has so embodied the ethos of designing fashion as art. McQueen was more than a designer, he was also an artist - we at farfetch.com believe in keeping his legacy alive, and continue to carry many selections from his label, such as his spectacular designer purses (http://www.farfetch.com/shopping/women/bags-purses/items.aspx) and one-of-a-kind dresses. Worn by celebrities such as Lady Gaga and Michelle Obama, McQueen's designs are among our most popular items."

The exhibit is open until July 31 - to learn more about the exhibit visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art's website ( http://blog.metmuseum.org/alexandermcqueen/) which features the exhibition and additional information on these programs. Fashion lovers can purchase pieces from Alexander McQueen through farfetch.com. Items are sourced from fashion boutiques (http://www.farfetch.com/boutiques-women-all.aspx) around the world and delivered directly to customer's homes.

About farfetch.com:

farfetch.com unites the world's best independent fashion boutiques, so that you can buy from the most interesting designer fashion brands globally in one easy-to-shop website. Our aim is to provide an exciting range of designers and labels, while maintaining the personality of unique, independent boutiques. This new concept means you can shop from boutiques in Paris, London, Como, Copenhagen, California and New York in just a few seconds, all from the comfort of your own home or office.