Opening Friday: 'McQueen' explores life, career of extraordinary fashion designer Alexander McQueen

Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui directed doc on one of the most controversial and supremely talented artists of his time

The world of fashion design does not lack for gifted artists: Chanel, Dior, Saint Laurent in earlier times, Ford, Prada, Galliano more recently. But to see the new documentary McQueen is to wonder if the British designer did not surpass all his contemporaries in sheer genius.

The film, directed by Ian Bonhôte and co-directed and written by Peter Ettedgui, opens in Los Angeles and New York this Friday (July 20), with San Francisco set to follow a week later. It explores the rise of McQueen (1969-2010) from his beginnings in the unlikeliest of environments -- working class London -- to his apprenticeship on Savile Row and later his startlingly original collections under his own name and, for a time, with Givenchy. 

A private screening at the London Hotel in West Hollywood Monday night attracted an array of actors, reality TV stars and filmmakers, including Ondi Timoner (Mapplethorpe). Director, writer and producer Kinvara Balfour, who executive produced McQueen, stopped by our camera to discuss the documentary and what it's like to wear the late designer's exceptional creations.