McQueen Creative Collaborators: Ralph Steadman
Illustrator and Friend of the House Ralph Steadman has collaborated on a series of illustrations for McQueen show invitations.
A British artist and illustrator, Ralph Steadman is most known for his collaborations with American writer Hunter S. Thompson. Together they created ‘Gonzo’ journalism at the Kentucky Derby in 1970. Steadman then illustrated Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1971), which began as a series for Rolling Stone Magazine.
He has also produced many of his own books, including Sigmund Freud (1979), I Leonardo (1983), The Big I Am (1998), and children’s books such as That’s My Dad (1986), No Room to Swing a Cat (1989) and Teddy! Where Are You? (1994).
His illustrative style is bold and full of character, with energetic lines and brushwork complete with heavy ink splatters. Steadman’s work often distorts figures on the page, placing emphasis on proportion and often exploring the boundaries of absurdity.
MCQUEEN AUTUMN WINTER 2024
For the Autumn Winter 2024 show, McQueen asked Steadman to interpret a key motif from the collection to develop a unique illustration.
The ‘Arrow’ pin, a new signature from Creative Director Seán McGirr’s debut collection was chosen, it’s sleek mirror finish and sharp lines interpreted in a playful illustration that featured as the artwork for the show’s guest invitations.
MCQUEEN SPRING SUMMER 2025
For the McQueen Spring Summer 2025 show invitation, the collaboration with Steadman continued with an artwork drawing inspiration from the Irish folkloric tale of the ‘Banshee’, a mythical and ethereal spirit who is often depicted brushing her hair with a silver comb. This narrative was explored throughout the collection across silver metal jewellery and an enchanting finale look embodying the essence of the banshee, in trailing crystal chains.
MCQUEEN AUTUMN WINTER 2025
Most recently for Autumn Winter 2025, McQueen collaborated with Steadman on a new artwork that was showcased both on the show invitations and present on the seats at the show venue.
The collection, rooted in botany and naturalism featured a collection of dramatic masks created in partnership with Matthew Empringham and Frederic Coomes, a design-duo supported by the Sarabande Foundation. Made on a 3D printed base and finished with intricate hand embroidery, the masks were interpreted by Steadman in an abstract and energetic illustration.
