How ironic….
Yesterday i wrote about how Harry Potter costume designer, Jany Temime, appeared to have cloned an Alexander McQueen dress to claim as her own. Well, today in a strange twist of fate, it is the turn of the Alexander McQueen brand to take to the stand after being sued for allegedly forging the winged death head motif of Hell’s Angels.
The Motorcycle Corporation have cited various items with images that bare an uncanny resemblance to their emblem including; a long sleeved black box dress and a knuckle duster ring. The pieces are part of McQueen’s final collection before his unexpected suicide in Februrary.
Hell’s Angels have made a statement regarding the impending lawsuit, claiming; “This isn’t about money, it’s about membership”. I believe this to be kind of true, as the winged death head is a widely recognised symbol of Hell’s Angels membership and is distinctive to the corporation. By replicating and reproducing it, that exclusivity is lost along with the significance. Appearing on a catwalk, It becomes little more than a fashion statement.
However, to be honest, it is not an identical replica of the logo and i have seen many other skull images that also resemble that of Hell’s Angels. Shouldn’t there be more freedom to be creative?
McQueen was well know for using his pieces to comment satirically on society, popular culture and world issues. Perhaps, the image similar to the winged death head represented, to him, the dark feelings and emotions that he was overwhelmed with at the time. Furthermore, as such a high profile and savvy designer, there is no doubt that he would be aware of the repercussions of an obvious and purposeful forgery.
It could be just another case of inspiration taken too far, but due to Alexander McQueen’s untimely death, we’ll all be left guessing...
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