Alexander McQueen store to open in L.A but no celebs allowed

And this week he's been his usual outspoken self, practically banning certain famous L.A shoppers from the new store on Melrose Avenue including Paris Hilton.

'If she comes past the shop, hopefully she'll just keep walking, ' McQueen told the L.A. Times, 'I don't really covet that sort of thing.'

Not what you would usually hear from a designer opening a store in the heart of celeb land, but this is McQueen and good for him too.

So just who is he hoping to draw to his new shop? For the launch, above the store, a huge billboard with display artwork by previous McQueen collaborators, including photographers David Bailey, Nick Knight and Sam Taylor Wood, while British artist Robert Bryce Muir has been commissioned to create a nine-foot metal sculpture of a naked man, arms outstretched, entitled, "Angel of the Americas" which will protrude form a skylight at the back of the shop.

This, McQueen hopes will draw a more serious, arty crowd of Angelenos.

However, he has not eschewed the power of celebrity all together and has invited his good friend and new darling of the fashion industry Amy Winehouse (pictured) to sing at the store launch party. But rumour has it she won't be able to get a visa in time, so he has lined up someone else to play. Who, he won't say - but you can guarantee they will be A-list, in McQueen's eyes anyway.

Click here to see Alexander McQueen's AW08 collection and show

Click here to see this week's ELLE Instant Outfit...Amy Winehouse Effect

By Laurelle Gilbert

Posted: 9 April 2008