Alexander McQueen’s Sarah Burton may have shown her Fall/Winter 2019 collection at Paris Fashion Week but her inspiration was homegrown. Tapping into both the brand’s darkly romantic English roots and her own reputation for fine tailoring and textile selection, Burton reportedly organized a team field trip in preparation for the showcase—heading to her hometown of Macclesfield, where the town mills from which she still sources are located. 

The collection featured a plethora of shapes and silhouettes—though none at the expense of Burton’s unwavering quest for technical flawlessness. From the voluminous to the streamlined, Burton maintained the common thread of exceptional fit and proportionality. From English roses to Chelsea punk embellishment, several Alexander McQueen AW19 motifs reflected hallmarks of British culture at large.

With pinstripes, leather and trench coats galore, Burton’s latest triumph reanimated the dark and twisted English fantasy that the late McQueen once orchestrated, while adding a refreshing dash of whimsicality.  See the AW19 highlights below.