Alexander McQueen: Mind Mythos Muse celebrates the conceptual and technical virtuosity of fashion designer Lee Alexander McQueen, offering insight into his creative processes and inspirations. Showcasing over 120 garments and accessories alongside over 80 artworks that help illuminate the interdisciplinary impulse that defined his career. Covering approx 1550sqm and constrained by existing gallery footprint, the design showcases and extrapolates, through various methodologies, McQueen’s work and references, using prompts to inform concept: spectacle, metamorphosis, evolution, technology, innovation, and history.

The exhibition is split into four primary themes, creating twelve spaces. Each area offers a unique design interpretation of McQueen’s collection references through build, display, multimedia, sound, and graphics. Design intent was to create a sense of theatre, a nod to McQueen’s spectacular runway shows. In Deliverance a large translucent surface floated atop a skeletal structure which was underset with LED screens, the content reflected onto a suspended angled mirror. Video and sound from the runway and corresponding filmic references create a mirrored view incorporating the mannequins and structure. The Widows of Culloden collection was presented on a raised platform with perimeter pathways leading to a central cube structure. Integrated multimedia, sound and lighting harnessed the spectacle of a peppers ghost illusion. Paired with a hand-painted cloud effect created a sensory evocation of moving through the Scottish Highlands, connecting to the collection and McQueen’s personal history.

The design utilised existing interior walls from the previous exhibition, reducing deconstruction and material wastage. In addition, the design employed reuse of existing cases, flooring, joinery, and materials. New design elements considered future reuse. In Technique and Innovation modular aluminium plinths were designed with future projects in mind and a low-carbon recyclable material made from upcycled packaging used and installed to ensure future use. High-fi and low-fi design techniques were employed to create a unique experience, from the peppers ghost illusion, graphic wallpapers and flooring, video, sound effects, lighting and shadow play.

The design of this exhibition cohesively integrated interior design, multimedia, graphics, sound design, and lighting in an innovative way to create a spectacle of experience. Using themes, references, and details from McQueen’s collections and runways as a starting point the design pushed to further extrapolate and highlight the diverse references that informed his designs and collections. The design creates a seamless line of dialogue between McQueen and historical artwork from both NGV and LACMA collections. With the unique design of each of the spaces highlighting the research and conceptual impetus that informed his collections the exhibition design intends to expand upon McQueen’s works and themes.