Gods and Kings: The Rise and Fall of Alexander McQueen and John Galliano is a biography by Dana Thomas. In this biographical literature double feature, she takes us on a quick journey through the lives of the designers pre-fame and glory. Knowing the story behind the name of not only the company but of the man creating the clothes, adds a sense of personality to it all. It’s not just clothes at the end of the day, it’s a collection of references, collaboration and time to create pieces, iconic ones at that.
Reading this, while knowing what happens is sort of bittersweet. You read the struggles and hardships that the pair lived separately, and wanting the best in the end; but knowing that won’t happen. This is truly a piece of fantastic literature.
This book is a great way to get a crash course on two influential contemporary designers of our time. Both hailing from the same fashion school (Saint Martins), they each had their own aesthetic that either scream Galliano or McQueen. While Galliano was known for his light, fairytale, over the top designs, McQueen was known for his dark, modern, sleek designs.
Princess Lucrecia S/S 1994 by John Galliano 
Nihilism S/S 1994 by Alexander McQueen
McQueen even created a new silhouette at his first show; The Bumster. This garment was a pair of pants with the hem of the waist slightly dipping down at the bag to reveal a cleavage of sorts for your rear end.
Both men face many challenges starting with the one that most creatives have to unfortunately deal with and this is income. She explains the financial struggles both had when starting off, McQueen using pallet wrap he found on the road for a dress and Galliano sleeping on his friends floor.
It humanizes these now iconic fashion figures, showing you that before they reached their high statues, they too were struggling to live out their dream and survive.
Furthermore, I like how they openly speak about both of the designers mental problems and even drug abuse. Both of these issues although somewhat accepted in our current time, are still stigmatized. This showed that even the people at the top who you would think would be living their best lives are still suffering.
It furthermore, opens up the gate to how the fashion industry over works their employees because of the globalization of fast fashion. We go through the journey of creative geniuses going to the brink of self destruction and becoming actual mad men. The thing that once they were once so passionate was the same thing that ultimately brings them to their downfall. This also wasn’t helped by the amount of enablers that they were surrounded by.
In someways it gives the reader hope, that if you pursue your dreams and do not let anyone/anything get in your way anything is possible. But it’s also a cautionary tale of how excess can lead to the downfall of ones self. Galliano and McQueen were like icarus, they both flew too close to the sun, however; Galliano was able to save himself before getting to close to the sun.
They not only showed the downsides of their lives, but the positive ones as well. From Galliano and McQueen meeting British royalty and being honored; to the accounts of how and why they were picked to be the head of legendary fashion houses like Dior and Givenchy.
Galliano for Dior 
McQueen for Givenchy
Hopefully this very brief summary of the book got you interested to read the whole book and get the full story. I just covered the highest tip of the iceberg with this small review. I didn’t want to go more in-depth because I want the reader (you) to read the book because it’s sooo good. I didn’t even touch on other things that are spoken in the book like work life, love life, etc. This book goes through a roller coaster of emotions. I cannot even lie and say I didn’t cry reading this book because I did. MULTIPLE TIMES… (lol)
Reading the journey of two men who had a lot of differences but some similarities and the outcome of both, gives you sense of what life really is. Either you run your life or your life runs you.
Hope you check it out ! I read the book by borrowing it from the library, so check your local library for a copy to read because it’s FREE!! And you don’t need to buy it. But if you do want a copy check Amazon or google. 🙂
J’s Journal 