The most beautiful items we’ve seen up to now for autumn winter 2012? These Alexander McQueen bags are cicada inspired knuckleduster clutches and just exquisite. Taking macabre motifs to their Byzantine extremes, these mix luxury with creepy in a way McQueen has always been famous for.
Cicada’s are large insects known in ancient Greece as Tettix that are best known for the male cicada’s distinctive summer love song that is the loudest song in the insect world. Usually found in the tropical climates of Australia and Africa, there is exactly one branch of the species in the UK found in the New Forest! Cicada’s were eaten in ancient Greece, as well as the Far East and South America.
Visually they are the most amazing of insects, so it is easy to see where the McQueen team have got their inspiration from. They have large, widely spaced eyes, and transparent wings that are veined to look like lace. They look like ancient jewels perched on branches.
For the McQueen box clutches, the cicada’s perch in veined gold splendour, bejewelled and about to take flight atop the knuckleduster. They are almost as big as the bags themselves which are box clutches that come in aubergine suede or gold python.
This is all of course just too luxurious to be true without a sign of bling in sight. A dream item for those with cash to burn, and instant classic vintage of course. But inspiration for us all!
Available from July in stores and selected retailers worldwide, and online at www.alexandermcqueen.com
