A Virtual Conversation with Simon Ungless

Enjoy a very special opportunity to hear from fashion designer Simon Ungless, one of Lee Alexander McQueen’s closest friends and collaborators. Once McQueen’s roommate, Ungless worked closely with him during his first several years as a designer - in fact, one of his designs is featured in Lee Alexander McQueen & Ann Ray: Rendez-Vous - and he still contributes to the McQueen line, most recently in the Spring/Summer 2024 collections. Joining us live from his home in California, Ungless speaks with exhibition curator Jackie Adams, CMA director of art and learning, about his time working and living with McQueen, the significance of McQueen’s legacy, the inspiration behind his own designs, and the future of fashion. Questions from the live virtual audience will be taken after the conversation. Free.
After graduating with distinction from Central Saint Martins School of Art and Design in 1992 with the prestigious Master of Arts in fashion, Ungless embarked on a collaboration with his best friend, Lee Alexander McQueen. From their South London home, the pair created Taxi Driver, the collection that founded Alexander McQueen and was shown during London Fashion Week as the first recipient of the New Generation sponsorship. Ungless continued to collaborate with McQueen on the collections shown in London and in New York, including Nihilism, Banshee, The Birds, Highland Rape, The Hunger, and Dante. In 1996 Ungless introduced Sarah Burton, creative director of Alexander McQueen for the last 14 years, to the late designer.
Over his 35 years in the fashion industry, Ungless’ work experience spans fashion design, textile design, forecasting, brand development, marketing, show production, and publishing for such clients as Tory Burch, Givenchy, Paul Smith, Versace, The Burton Group, Nigel French, Selfridges, Nike, Levi’s, and Calvin Klein - and of course, he continues to work with Alexander McQueen. Currently, Ungless operates two artisanal and sustainably centered design companies under the UN-Production banner When Simon Met Ralph, which focuses on apparel and textiles, and Blackened, which centers on accessories and home.