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SUPPORTING VISIONARY CREATIVE TALENT

Sarabande Artists

THE LEGACY

Sarabande was set up by the late designer, Lee Alexander McQueen, who left the majority of his estate to support creative and visionary talent. In addition to providing scholarships and studio space for artists, Sarabande produces a number of events, from the practical to the inspirational.

We were touched by the clarity and pragmatism  of your building and the spirit that it contains.

Sir Antony Gormley, Artist

The work you're doing with Sarabande is so inspiring.

Andrew Bolton, Curator-in-Charge at the  MET Costume  Institute & Sarabande Patron

That his legacy supports a charitable foundation for artists and designers means he is alive through the work he supports.

Sam Taylor-Johnson, Artist, Film  Director & Sarabande Patron

It is truly amazing what the foundation is doing.

Christian Hemmerle, Jeweller

Lee really did believe in young people and helping them to realise their dreams, and the creative professions, but maybe fashion most of all, rely heavily on renewal and fresh talent.

Sarah Burton OBE, Creative Director of Alexander McQueen & Sarabande Patron

What an incredible place - and such an honour to be able to see into all of your artists' respective universes!

Dazed Media

[On Sarabande Studios] there’s an energy and passion that reminds me of Lee’s old studio.

Shaun Leane, Jeweller & Sarabande Patron

“You [Sarabande] are doing an amazing job.” 

Maggi Hambling CBE, Artist

On choosing Rosa Uddoh a scholar - “she seemed to be creating a whole new way to talk about feminism and race.” 

Nick Knight OBE, Photographer & Sarabande Patron
Sarabande Moth Pin
Sarabande Moth Pin
£149.00

Silver Moth Pin, designed by Sarabande artist, Benjamin Hawkins.
Made with recycled silver in the UK.
All proceeds go towards supporting the foundation.

35mm x 39mm.
Packaged within it's own Sarabande matchbox.

Lee Alexander McQueen

Lee Alexander McQueen CBE was born in London on 17 March 1969, the youngest of six children. He left school at the age of 16 to begin an apprenticeship with Anderson & Sheppard and then at Gieves & Hawkes on Savile Row in London. From there he moved to the theatrical costumiers Angels and Bermans, where he mastered 6 methods of pattern cutting from the melodramatic 16th Century, to the razor sharp tailoring which has become a McQueen signature.

After persuading his way onto the MA Fashion Design at Central St Martins, Lee showed his MA collection in 1992, which was bought in its entirety by Isabella Blow. He began the Alexander McQueen label in 1994 and continually pushed the limits of fashion until, in October 1996 he was appointed Chief Designer at the French Haute Couture House Givenchy where he worked until March of 2001.

Photograph by David Bailey

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Sarabande Foundation was established because Lee passionately believed that creative minds with the potential to push boundaries should be given the same opportunities he’d enjoyed. 

Sarabande is there to observe and facilitate – the partners and friends of Lee are there to guide and inspire. 

The genesis of all Lee’s achievements was his open-minded approach to absorbing diverse creative influences and applying them in new and exciting ways. It is that openness and bravery that Sarabande seeks to inspire in future generations of creatives.

'Death's-head hawkmoth’ by Nick Knight

@sarabandefoundation