Jack O’Connell to play Alexander McQueen

British actor Jack O’Connell will play Alexander McQueen in a bio-pic about the late fashion designer’s life.

O’Connell, best known for his roles in the TV series Skins and the features films Unbroken and Money Monster, will take on the lead role in a new movie from director Andrew Haigh.

Haigh is the director behind the award winning LGBT movie Weekend and the US TV series Looking. The script will be based on the book Blood Beneath the Skin.

Lee Alexander McQueen, grew up in working class surroundings in Stratford, London. From an early aged he expressed his desire to become a fashion designer. He has said that he knew he was gay from when he was 6 years old, and he came out to his family when he was 18.

At 16 he received an apprenticeship working with a Saville Row Tailor, picking up the skills of making impeccably tailored clothes.  After spending time working in Italy for Romeo Gigli, McQueen returned to London and enrolled at Central St Martins College of Art and Design.

His entire final year collection was bought by influential fashion lover Isabella Blow. The fashion writer bought the entire collection for £5,000, paying off McQueen in installments of £100 a week. Blow has been credited with encouraging McQueen to use him middle name professionally.

During his career McQueen created iconic outfits for artists including David Bowie and Bjork. His runway shows were acclaimed for their theatricality and provocative style.

McQueen committed suicide in 2010, shortly after his mother’s death from cancer.

OIP Staff