Alexander McQueen Spring / Summer 2017 LOOK 45

"This hand-embroidered ivory dress was the final look of the Spring / Summer 2017 show. The wild and magical coastal landscapes of the Shetland Islands were the origin of this collection and this shredded tulle dress depicts a scene of crashing waves.

The waves are depicted using around 480,000 two to three millimetre sequins while facetted small silver glass beads give them their outline. Hanging beaded fringes are placed between this flat wave design and the three-dimensional ruffles which capture the movement of waves, creating a smooth transition between the two. Each beaded fringe is made up of silver glass faceted beads and long silver feather sequins giving the idea of sea spray.

The ruffles are created using over sixty metres of embroidered silk tulle, designed to recreate the movement of the sea. These embroidered silk tulle ruffles are gathered and steamed to give a pleated effect and then distressed by-hand. A further forty-five metres of silk tulle were then added to the dress to complete the splash of a pounding wave."