Alexander McQueen

There are many talented designers, but the work of Lee Alexander McQueen, who was found dead at age 40 on Feb. 11, was spectacular. Even if critics rejected a collection, they could not reject what he had put into it. It was never sloppy, lazy or cavalier. It was magnificently and precisely what he wanted. His diligence and attention to detail were stunning to witness. He was surgical. His draping skills were incredible and his construction beautiful. His work was whimsical and full of humor; it was subversive, political and incredibly sexual, but he had a seriousness about it, and he was so young. He was never afraid of being ugly in his work, either. Sometimes it was beautifully ugly, and that’s very brave. His was an important voice, and he carried the torch for a new generation.

When I asked Lee if he would make my dress for the premiere of the Sex and the City movie, he was gracious enough to say yes. He flew to New York City on a couple of occasions to keep fitting it on me. In London, he fitted it on me again, with the same exacting precision he had about everything. Big and little. And he was just lovely. When he’d look up and smile–which he rarely did, since he was very shy–he was just so winning.

Maybe Lee didn’t follow the rules in terms of patronage and genuflecting in the right direction. He had a point of view that probably didn’t always fit in. But I don’t think he spent a lot of time trying to impress the right people. I think he cared a great deal about his work and was incredibly reliable in that regard.

The people he worked with adored him, because he was easy to adore. I feel very fortunate to have known him, even in the small way that I did, and I’m so sorry that others didn’t and won’t have that same chance.

Parker, an actress, is the president and chief creative officer of Halston