The eagle has landed, Alexander McQueen X Puma promo, GQ, 2011

 

[I was still new in the GQ promo department when this brief dropped into my in-tray. Brief? There rarely was one! “It’s about eagle-print trainers,” I was told. “See what you can come up with.” This was another example of starting with a nonsense idea and running with it – and to my disbelief, Puma instantly OK’ed it. The right choice! Not my cup of tea, this footwear. I was in Dr Martens canvas lo-tops at the time, which I loved.]

The successful collaboration between Alexander McQueen and Puma, now in its seventh year, mixes the vintage styling of a legendary footwear brand with the distinctive feathers, theatrics and free spirit of a flamboyant British fashion house.

If you’ve ever imagined that an ability to fly would be a useful way to sidestep transport problems in your urban setting, then you haven’t thought the whole thing through. At this time of year, evenings can be raw affairs. Before take-off, you’d need to wrap up with a huge coat, hat, gloves and scarf. That’s if you could fly with clothes on at all. And being hit in the face by icy rain as you flap your arms wildly beneath angry clouds will provide little pleasure. All of a sudden, the late-running 18.57 with its warm compartments doesn’t seem quite so tedious.

Despite the drawbacks, the concept of flight remains inspiring. The work of Alexander McQueen often employs the symbolism of the eagle and this emphasis on urban escapism can be found in the latest range of Alexander McQueen Puma footwear. Birds of prey play an integral part in the design ethos of this summer’s styles, giving a sense of freedom, of being able to rise above responsibility, of a flight from the normal – all familiar themes in Alexander McQueen’s edgy tailoring.

If Icarus had flown on a cloudy day instead of a scorcher, perhaps we’d have no need for an integrated public transport system today, but until we can soar majestically on thermals and updraughts, the retro lo shoes and mid shoes of Alexander McQueen Puma are an acceptable compromise.

Available at Harrods, Harvey Nichols, Liberty and Offspring at Selfridges