McQueen often said he wanted his designs to make people "feel something". He didn't want women to look "innocent and naïve"; he wanted them to look stronger, armored against a world that could be cruel. His shows were immersive experiences that often touched on themes of:

He remains a symbol for those who refuse to conform, a designer who proved that fashion is not just about what we wear, but about the stories we are brave enough to tell.

Best seen in his Spring/Summer 1999 show, where robot arms spray-painted a dress worn by Shalom Harlow.