Debra Shaw

If my memory serves me well, I first met Lee in a basement where he was working at the time. Other than it being extremely hot, I have a vision of him in my mind wearing light-green nail polish on his toes. I was immediately entranced by his aura. Watching the way he moved and expressed himself was quite a fascinating sight to behold.

In McQueen shows we were given the freedom to be wild! His garments encouraged that unabashed sense of abandonment. Wearing his clothes made me feel empowered! Statuesque! Mighty! Extraterrestrial! And they helped me come to a greater understanding of the frame of my own body. His cuts and his shapes, the cinching of my waist (especially with one particular gold bustier he made for me), made me understand the story I could tell with my body through the power they instilled in me.

Lee had a thoughtful awareness of social issues and consistently included it in his work. I miss his talent, the passion he gave to each and every show, his fresh and unique approach to all he created. He never rested on his success but continually pushed the boundaries of his own imagination. I miss his energy and would give the world to give him one more huge hug!

Jodie Kidd Alexander McQueen Fall 1997 Ready-to-Wear Photo: Condé Nast Archive Jodie Kidd Givenchy by Alexander McQueen Spring 1997 Couture Photo: Guy Marineau / Condé Nast Archive

Jodie Kidd

From moment one, there was a real buzz [about Lee]. We knew there was something happening and we were in the middle of that. Watching him work backstage—the creativity, the dressing, the fittings—being with him in his environment, we were witnessing something very unique and very special. That was why he became who he became and was so unique and incredible and a genius. I’m honored that we shared that short, incredible journey with him.

Lee used to love me going out and not going crazy but just being really theatrical and really getting into the energy and the psyche of the collection. He let us showcase his piece in any way that we felt would fit. I always was quite...extravagant, shall we say, going down the catwalk. We ended up working together for years and years and years and creating such a great strong bond. I think very much Lee loved me to bring my kind of character across. He designed clothes for the characters of the models. He was never one to say, “Just go up and down. Don’t smile. Don’t do that. It’s all about the clothes, the clothes, the clothes.” It was about those, of course, but it was the combination of the model’s character, the clothes, the music, the environment, the hair, the makeup all kind of adding up [and becoming] kind of individually unique. It wasn’t just like there’s a trouser suit. It was theater. It was a show.