A profound respect for the artisanal makes craftsmanship the heart of the Alexander McQueen Spring 2016 collection as the brand looks to the people of Spitalfields from the late 17th century, the Huguenot migrants who arrived in London as religious refugees. They brought with them their knowledge, skill in weaving and a love of naturalistic floral designs inspired by “The Line of Beauty” philosophy.

There’s a bohemian elegance to the McQueen woman this season as Sarah Burton draws on the roots and myths of English folklore to bring together the mood of the collection. Burton has also been exploring consistently the idea of heirlooms and found objects. Garments too carry history and hence feel precious and the collection has been finished and treated with a tactile hand, so that materials and surfaces feel aged and familiar.

Go backstage at the Alexander McQueen Spring 2016 runway show in Paris and discover the craftsmanship that defines this collection.