Founded by the late trailblazer Lee Alexander McQueen in 1992, the eponymous label has always been at the forefront of the cultural zeitgeist. Renowned for its bold, eclectic pieces that go against the grain of society, creative director Sarah Burton has made a point of retaining its enchanting edge.

The Pre-Spring Summer 2023 collection makes an example of this – melding together profound conceptualism with subversive sensibilities. From tactile trench coats and buoyant bubble dresses, to studded totes – the collection oscillates between varying textures, shapes, and cuts. A piece that particularly shines, however, is the Slash bag. Keeping to the house’s signature details, such as the iconic McQueen knuckle hardware and skull motif, this bag has quickly become one of the collection’s most coveted items.

In a sci-fi themed campaign film, the Slash bag’s sumptuous quality is brought to the surface. Lensed by Glen Luchford, and headed by Kaia Gerber, the model traverses an eerily dystopian cityscape. Interspersed with quick-cut CCTV shots, meta-narratives of surveillance and perception are brought to mind. Vast futuristic buildings evoke the scenography of The Fifth Element, whilst life-like humanoid figures recall Ex Machina’s uncanny valley. Underscored by a viscerally-charged soundtrack, which goes hand in hand with scintillating sound design – what results is a feat of pure artistry.

To enter into Alexander McQueen’s dystopian world head below…