Drawing upon Hieronymus Bosch’s most famous works, the Alexander McQueen Spring/Summer 2023 collection inspires with a refreshed, vibrant, otherworldly tone.

Embracing a new <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion-week/paco-rabanne-collection-fall-winter-2022-fashion-show-paris-photos" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sensuality</a> for spring, <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/sadie-sink-naomi-campbell-pom-klementieff-alexander-mcqueen-spring-summer-2023-campaign" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Alexander McQueen</a>&rsquo;s creative director Sarah Burton rendered a bevy of tailored, leather, and denim looks in fresh hip-hugging (and sometimes hip-baring) silhouettes. A bumster 2.0 and even the occasional catsuit could be found among the sharp shoulders and great coats we expect from Burton. Difficult as it was to peel one&rsquo;s eyes away from <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/naomi-campbell-most-iconic-90s-catwalk-moments" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Naomi Campbell</a> walking down the runway, the true delight of Burton&rsquo;s latest collection was a series of enchanting <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/men/bts-dior-mens-spring-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener">embroidered</a> looks in a buoyant blue, all inspired by the Early Netherlandish painter Hieronymus Bosch.

Backstage at the Spring/Summer 2023 show in London

Fantastical <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/art/julian-charriere-artist-destruction-human-nature-not-all-who-wander-are-lost-2022" target="_blank" rel="noopener">nature</a> scenes were hand-embroidered and seemingly &ldquo;collaged&rdquo; onto an off-the-shoulder <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/how-to-style-corsets-y2k-jean-paul-gaultier-vivienne-westwood" target="_blank" rel="noopener">corset</a>-waist gown, a bodysuit shown with a matching draped leather belt and boots, and a <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/how-to-wear-catsuits-celebrity-trend-fall-jumpsuits" target="_blank" rel="noopener">catsuit</a>. Each of Bosch&rsquo;s elements&mdash;oversized strawberries, yellow fish, blue and pink flowers, birds, and beetles&mdash;were plucked from three of his most famous works: &ldquo;The Garden of Earthly Delights,&rdquo; &ldquo;The Temptation of St. Anthony,&rdquo; and &ldquo;The Last Judgment.&rdquo; Multicolored and <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/shopping/gold-heels-for-women-shopping" target="_blank" rel="noopener">metallic</a> threads brought each object to life, just as Bosch had done with his paintbrush some 500 years before.

"It&rsquo;s something we&rsquo;ve always looked at, at McQueen: life, destruction, and beauty."

It is not the first time the house has referenced the Netherlandish master. For what ultimately would be his final collection, <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/film-tv/the-new-alexander-mcqueen-documentary-is-not-a-fashion-film" target="_blank" rel="noopener">McQueen</a> himself drew upon religious iconography and created gilded otherworldly prints comprised of poetic angels and Bosch demons. &ldquo;When you look at those triptychs and those paintings, they&rsquo;re so beautiful,&rdquo; mused Burton <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/travis-scott-cactus-jack-dior-men-spring-summer-2022-backstage-photos" target="_blank" rel="noopener">backstage</a> at the spring show. &ldquo;But when you look very closely, there&rsquo;s a very dark narrative there. It&rsquo;s something we&rsquo;ve always looked at, at <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion-week/alexander-mcqueen-spring-summer-2023-fashion-show-photos" target="_blank" rel="noopener">McQueen</a>: life, destruction, beauty.&rdquo;

It was then a pleasant surprise to see another force of nature, the inimitable Lizzo, don a custom Bosch-inspired look with matching leather boots for her December 2022 <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/peoples-choice-awards-2021-red-carpet-fashion-best-looks" target="_blank" rel="noopener">People&rsquo;s Choice Award</a> performance and win. The musician shared on Instagram that her outfit, indeed, was &ldquo;fit for a McQueen.&rdquo;

Go Behind the Scenes on Alexander McQueen’s Spring/Summer 2023 Collection

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