Sewn into the linings of garments from his earliest collections are meticulously coiled lockets of hair encased in Perspex. This avant-garde gesture was inspired by a Victorian-era tradition where prostitutes would sell locks of their hair, which were then purchased as intimate tokens to be exchanged between lovers. In his early work, the hair used in these hidden lockets came from McQueen’s own head, adding a deeply personal and symbolic element to his designs. This intimate detail reflects McQueen’s fascination with blending history, emotion, and craftsmanship, reinforcing the connection between the garment and the wearer.
