Alexander McQueen Fall / Winter 2015

PARIS — If anyone had found Fashion Week in the French capital wanting in artistic terms, then early Tuesday evening at the Conciergerie offered them an occasion to carefully reconsider their previously held position. On the night Sarah Burton sent down the stone runway underneath the vaulted ceilings of the former prison that once held Marie Antoinette her women’s fall ready-to-wear collection for Alexander McQueen. The build up to Tuesday night’s runway show could already be heard backstage Monday morning at Sacai — the hair by Guido was to take upwards of two hours per girl, time estimates for makeup by Pat McGrath were not discussed, but would not doubt far off. The painstaking care with which Burton treats her ready-to-wear shows enshrines the occasions with an air that borders on the ceremonial, which in turn elevates expectations higher. Tuesday night Burton did not disappoint expectations in the least with her collection that is said to use the life cycle of a rose as its point of departure. A rose passes through various phases from a tight bud to full bloom on through to wilted stalk. The phases were effectively collapsed on one another for this collection, which exhibited the intricate touches and detailing for which Burton has been celebrated since so commandingly assuming the leading role following the passing of the late Lee McQueen. Hair and makeup by Guido and Pat respectively perfectly finished this beauties to a state of perfect imperfection. On the evening H