Neo Catholic Macabre Artiste

Alexander McQueen described photographer Joel Peter Witkin as a 'Neo Catholic Macabre Artiste' and a keen influence on his work. Challenging, disturbing, perverse, Witkin's work centres on complex, classical religious scenes featuring what he viewed as society's outsiders: dwarves, transsexuals, hermaphrodites, the disabled and death.

Alexander McQueen, A/W 2009
Manuel Albarran, Metal Couture Collection

Tilmann Grawe for Swarovski Runway

Alexander McQueen, Manuel Albarran and Tilmann Grawe's work fuses historical inspiration with futurism. All three designers having thrived from a multi-media approach to couture, have created armour with a delicate beauty. Alien features in cold metal fashion an abstract intimacy. In these examples, the armour disables the wearer from speaking perhaps because it's the couture that's meant to do the talking.

All I want for Christmas is...

All I want for Chistmas is this Alexander McQueen knuckleduster clutch bag, please.

This elegant evening bag comes with its own insurance policy: a handle made of four dark silver skull rings decorated with Swarofski crystals and pearl eyes. Boasting a polished petrol veneer and Nappa leather lining, this clutch is full of attide and unabashedly luxurious.

S/S 2009 range; Price: £700