GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Lee Alexander McQueen & Ann Ray: Rendez-Vous opened at the Grand Rapids Art Museum this weekend and has something special for lovers of fashion and photography alike.
The exhibition explores the 13-year friendship and creative collaboration between McQueen, a late British designer, and Ray, a French photographer.
From Oct. 5, 2024, through Jan. 12, 2025, visitors will be able to see more than 70 photographs taken by Ray and over 50 garments made by McQueen.
Terra Warren, the associate curator at GRAM, said the beginning of the exhibition coincides with when the pair met in 1997.
At the time, McQueen had asked Ann to photograph his design process and behind-the-scenes at his show, and in return, he would give her clothes.
"This was supposed to be a two-week job and it was a friendship and a companionship and collaboration that lasted 13 years without a contract, just based off of their friendship alone," Warren said. "Where Ann Ray would photograph what was going on behind the scenes, and in return, Alexander McQueen would give her these exquisite garments."
Warren said visitors can expect to see garments spanning from 1994 through McQueen's death in 2010.
"This exhibition, I think, provides a totally unique view of Alexander McQueen's garments," Warren said. "These garments are not only boundary-pushing in their form, but they are technically, absolutely masterful."
Alongside the garments, Warren said Ray's photography sheds a unique light on McQueen, his models and his process.
"It really brings to light a different side of Alexander McQueen," Warren said. "Alexander McQueen presented himself very much as a bad boy and as a rock star. This shows his biography through the lens of someone who knew him as a tender and boyish figure, someone who's really sensitive and empathetic."
In addition to the garments and photographs, the exhibition also features a film by Ray, which summarizes her time with McQueen.
"Ann Ray is amazing in that she was surrounded by, you know, the chaos and the whirling energy of Alexander McQueen's life, and she was able to find these moments of quietness in which she is able to capture amongst the chaos, these formally, really stunning photographs that were taken on the fly, but looked like they could have been posed," Warren said.
Warren said there will be different programs centered around the exhibition during the fall and winter months, and to keep an eye on GRAM's website for more information.