The beauty of minerals, earth’s precious and purest treasures, have inspired Alexander McQueen’s AW20 pre-collection. Throughout the brand’s history, earth phenomena has always been a staple of the McQueen aesthetic, whether it be the natural process of life and death, ethereal bodies, impending global disasters or the evolution of the human species. Returning to the world’s core elements seems an appropriate place to regroup with all the chaos this year has brought, and the McQueen team does certainly not disappoint.

Chunky knits appear in vivid red hues, separated by even chunkier belts boasting braggadocious golden o-rings. Sticking to this refined palette are slinky chainmail dresses with double-faced Lurex rib knit, gold satin-backed moiré blazers and structured two-tone coats. Deconstructed jumpers bare seams of this precious ore too, whilst skirts and coats cascade down the body in deep mustard yellows. Accessories are aplenty too – from large glistening dome chokers and chunky rings to cuffs and miniature metal bags suspended from smooth leather harnesses, not forgetting the Four Ring Pouches in ox-blood red, navy and black of course. This new iteration of the bag is softer in nature, retaining all of the same charm and finesse with an organic link to the season’s jewellery offerings.

McQueen’s menswear is a tad more understated – smooth two-piece suits come adorned in resplendent metal ore embroidery, falling from the shoulder like a branch from a willow tree, effortless and captivating. Coats are darker and sharper too, offset by wildflowers forming a garland print over crisp white shirts whilst the Four-Ring Pouch gets a makeover, forming a stylish knuckleduster with an array of the iconic McQueen skulls in dark antique metal, set over crocodile-embossed leather.

Ultimately, this dark and seductive offering is the perfect fashion fix that will have us in lust (and awe) for months.