Six new variations of the iconic Knuckle clutches see archival sculptural handles with newly developed embellishments
An homage to its gothic-romantic roots, Alexander McQueen unveils a capsule collection of Knuckle clutches that feels less like a product launch and more like the unveiling of a contemporary heirloom.
Since its first appearance in 2009 under the eye of eponymous founder Lee Alexander McQueen, the Knuckle clutch has evolved from a subversive accessory to a fashion statement. Now, six new variations arrive, each one imbued with the same sharp sensuality and untamed artistry that defined the original. The sculptural metalwork—those defiant, ringed handles that evoke armour as much as adornment—anchors each clutch, while newly imagined embellishments drape them in opulence.
The Rose and Snake Knuckle clutch, originally released in Spring/Summer 2018, is reintroduced with a venomous allure. A coiled garden snake—its sinuous body wrapped protectively around a solitary rose—spirals toward a skull, forming a handle that is equal parts sculpture and symbol. The leather base is rendered three-dimensional with floral embroideries composed of glistening glass crystals and delicate beadwork–complementing the sheen of the metal handle.
The Rose Knuckle clutch, born of the Fall/Winter 2015 collection, returns as a baroque interpretation of the “English Rose”—not the demure flower of postcard clichés, but the thorned, feral kind that blooms in shadow. Mirror-finished metal roses crown the knuckle handle. Below, jet-black crystal embroidery sprawls across a satin base in brooding, faceted patterns.
And then there’s the Spider Jewelled Knuckle clutch, a relic of the Autumn/Winter 2019 season, which captures the house’s enduring fascination with the grotesque and the beautiful. Each of its four rings is unique; one bears an intricate spider. These updated editions come embroidered with multicoloured stones or dressed in an all-over constellation of glass beads and crystals.
