Samantha Cameron unveils preview of McQueen exhibition at the Met

Now his most iconic and remarkable designs are set to be available for public view, at the forthcoming McQueen exhibition for The Metropolitan Museum's Costume Institute. During a presentation held this morning at the Ritz in London, Samantha Cameron launched a preview of the pieces which will be part of the New York show, and said she was "thrilled by this recognition of British fashion."

The show will include breathtaking pieces from the McQueen archive, from the show-stopping S/S 2007 ballgown thickly embellished with flowers, to the golden feathered cutaway jacket from his final collection. It will also include other works representing his artistic output, from the McQueen tartan, to the Kate Moss hologram and cabinets of McQueen "curiosities". Opening on 4 May 2011, following the annual Costume Institute ball, the show will be an unmissable opportunity to study works of fashion artistry so accomplished, that few would deny them the status of high art. Thomas P Campbell, the Director of the museum, said this morning "McQueen's work fits easily in the discourse of art. He can be considered no less than a great artist."

Photographs of the exhibits were taken by Sølve Sundsbø on live models in order to show movement in the garments, and then edited to look like mannequins.

View a selection of the images here.