This is the ‘Titanic’ boot. It featured in Alexander McQueen’s last fully realised collection: Plato’s Atlantis, from Spring/Summer 2010. The boot was worn with what became known as the ‘Titanic Dress’ and the mood of this particular part of the collection was of shipwrecks alluding to the Titanic, with verdigris coloured leather, tarnished metal, and corroded necklaces and accessories that featured in this part of the collection. The shoe was also referred to as the ‘Meccano’ shoe because the heel was articulated and it appeared as if constructed from Meccano pieces but the references were also to the way that ships were riveted together. And it’s this kind of detail that makes McQueen stand out. Every particular detail from the riveted toe to the riveted heel and the verdigris coloured leather is considered very carefully.