The Alexander McQueen Spring 2018 collection was inspired by the quintessential English gardens of Great Dixter: uncontrived floral planting, meandering borders and tangles of vibrant, exuberantly coloured blooms. The collection consists of long-cherished, worn-and-torn couture inspired pieces and bespoke men’s tailoring, deconstructed and reconstructed: reclaimed.

Deconstructed gabardine trench coats are panelled with rosebud silk jacquards. Softly corseted, ruffled knit dresses with fifties lingerie detailing are cut away at the waistline; some have looping crinoline skirts. Bonded plongé leather peplum jackets are worn off the shoulder and over raw-edged leather skirts embellished with gold and silver hardware. Wool silk cavalry twill riding jackets and coats with a masculine shoulder are panelled with checks and layered over raw-edged leather trousers. Oversized, slashed mouliné knit sweaters are embroidered with heirloom brooches.

Checked silk cotton kilt dresses are deconstructed and buttoned to the throat. Engineered fil coupé dégradé tweed dresses are worn with a shredded peony tweed coat embroidered with pearls. Transparent glass organza dresses are printed with layers of roses and explode with pleated necklines and full, tiered skirts.

A tuxedo dress coat in black wool silk and a silk faille corset dress have draped ruffle flower skirts. Deconstructed heirloom dresses are shredded and cut in a mix of floral jacquard, washed organza and silk tulle. Inside-out skeletal taffeta gowns are embroidered with trailing, three-dimensional blooms.

Go backstage and discover the floral frenzy as the models prepare for a garden-esque runway show.