My McQueen

Alexander McQueen and Isabella Blow in Essex. "Burning Down the House." Vanity Fair. March 1997. Photo by David LaChapelle.

Many assume the French are the most fashionable people in the world, due to their artfully disheveled sex appeal and "je ne sais quoi," but I've always found British style far more interesting for several reasons. First, traditional English tailoring is beyond compare: shoulders are tastefully amplified, waists are nipped to flatter, and every bespoke detail is painstakingly thought out.

British fashion eccentric Daphne Guinness in Alexander McQueen

Secondly, the British love against-the-grain fashion. They don't care if they're viewed as tacky or insane, and I love them for it. The most fashion-obsessed trendsetters have come out of the UK, and if unconventionalism was an art-form, the Monets, Picassos and Warhols of the world would all be Brits. Fashion over function, style over sensibility, and couture over cost-effectiveness, the British have served as the eccentric inspiration for pop personalities like Lady Gaga for ages.

Sarah Jessica Parker at McQueen's funeral wearing one of his designs. Feb, 25, 2010.

My favorite designer of my lifetime, Alexander McQueen, was London-born. When my friend Megan told me news of his suicide, I couldn't believe it. It was only a few years after his mentor, British eccentric Isabella Blow, took her own life. How could someone who was at the peak of his career have so many demons? Sadly, depression often strikes those who we least expect. His passing was extremely difficult for the fashion world to cope with.

Designs from his Spring 2008 collection, inspired by friend Isabella Blow. My coat is in the middle :)

McQueen was a genius because he mastered both technique and vision; most designers have a difficult time excelling at one of those categories. His dark, often shocking fashion shows never overshadowed his masterful tailoring skills. So imagine my excitement when I came upon one of his Prince of Wales plaid overcoats from his Spring 2008 collection, for less than $200 at a thrift store. I snatched it up in a heartbeat. I usually don't do outfit posts, because I don't want people to think that I think that I'm a model. I know I'm not! But I had to show off this purchase. The details and fit are perfection - everything I would expect from an Alexander McQueen runway piece.

Alexander McQueen coat, BCBG fur scarf, Joie boots.

This Diane von Furstenberg dress is also dear to my heart - it's the first purchase I made after starting FIT as a freshman in 2005! The necklace is vintage - I stole it from my mom.

I had to include my bullmastiff Khan in this photoshoot, because he would be the perfect accessory for a stroll on the English countryside, don't you think?

You can hype my Khan look on lookbook.nu here. Thanks!