A collection of previously unseen backstage photographs from Alexander McQueen’s seminal show ‘Dante’ form the basis of a new exhibition at the Gallery at Foyles.

Curated by Olly Walker and Futurecity specifically for the bookseller, the exhibition gives a glimpse into McQueen’s creative process and the theatre of his shows through a series of photographs taken by Kent Baker, then part of McQueen’s closest circle. The ‘Dante’ collection was staged in 1996 at Nicholas Hawksmoor’s Christ Church Spitalfields. Models Honor Fraser, Kristen McMenamy, Annabel Rothschild and Stella Tennant mixed with kids from the East End neighbourhood in corsetry, lace, ‘bumsters’, bleached denim and crucifixes, walking to a soundtrack of organ music and hip hop. The show was dark, iconoclastic and regarded by many as the apex of the fashion designer’s powers.

Shot entirely on film, Baker’s backstage photographs document the excitement and show McQueen directing proceedings and capture the friendships and creative relationships which shape an unforgettable moment in British fashion history.

The show runs until Sunday May 3 and is accompanied by a book published by Laurence King. You can watch the entire show here.