It has been nearly 15 years since McQueen showed his Spring/Summer 2010 ready to wear collection at Paris Fashion Week in October 2009. Known as Plato’s Atlantis, it was his last fully formed show before his death in 2010.
‘Plato’s Atlantis predicted a future in which the ice cap would melt, the waters would rise and life on earth would have to evolve in order to live beneath the sea once more or perish. Humanity would go back to the place from whence it came.’
– Alexander McQueen
Plato’s Atlantis marked a pivotal moment in Alexander McQueen’s illustrious career, cementing his legacy as one of the most visionary designers of the 21st century. With its fusion of mythology, technology, and high fashion, its groundbreaking runway presentation remains a testament to McQueen’s boundless imagination and unparalleled talent.
Not only did Plato’s Atlantis solidify McQueen’s reputation but it made a new icon – a towering platform heeled boot with a distinctive curved silhouette, which became known as the armadillo shoe (or boot).
The Alexander McQueen armadillo shoes are my Roman Empire. They achieved mythical status, but where are the armadillo shoes now? And who owns them?
Prompted by a weekend with some spare time, the obvious thing to do (!) was to start doing some serious research into the current whereabouts of the Alexander McQueen armadillo shoes.
Follow along as I attempt a deep dive into the Alexander McQueen Plato’s Atlantis armadillo shoes.