While many luxury and high-end fashion brands jump into the Black Friday frenzy, Alexander McQueen has a long history of steering clear of these types of events. In fact, it’s rare to see any significant discounts from the brand directly during Black Friday, and based on previous years, that’s unlikely to change in 2025.
Here’s what you need to know, including why Alexander McQueen typically doesn’t participate in Black Friday sales, where you might still find discounts on select items, and some tips for saving on their iconic pieces if you’re set on shopping during this time of year.
Does Alexander McQueen Run Black Friday Sales?
Let’s get straight to the point: Alexander McQueen doesn’t traditionally participate in Black Friday. This isn’t just a one-time thing—it’s part of a broader trend among luxury fashion houses. Black Friday is typically associated with significant markdowns, flash sales, and large promotions, which don’t align with the luxury retail strategy.
Alexander McQueen, known for its distinctive designs, craftsmanship, and exclusivity, rarely discounts its collections directly through its official stores or website. Luxury brands like Alexander McQueen are built on maintaining their premium image, and regular markdowns or deep sales events could undermine that positioning. In short, brands like these focus on exclusivity, which means offering fewer promotions and keeping discounts minimal or restricted to specific scenarios.
For anyone hoping for a sudden shift in 2025, it’s best to keep your expectations realistic. Based on the brand’s track record, we don’t anticipate Alexander McQueen will be running a Black Friday sale this year.
Why Luxury Brands Like Alexander McQueen Avoid Black Friday
Understanding why luxury brands like Alexander McQueen often skip Black Friday comes down to a few key factors:
1. Preserving Brand Value
Luxury fashion houses work hard to cultivate a premium image. Part of what makes high-end brands like Alexander McQueen so desirable is their exclusivity and craftsmanship. Discounting too frequently—especially during widely publicized events like Black Friday—can devalue the brand and diminish its perception as a luxury label.
2. Timeless Pieces Over Seasonal Discounts
Alexander McQueen’s collections, including their iconic handbags, tailored clothing, and avant-garde footwear, are known for being timeless. Unlike fast fashion brands that need to clear out seasonal inventory, luxury brands design their pieces to remain relevant for years. This reduces the need to mark items down for quick turnover.
3. Target Audience
Luxury shoppers typically aren’t waiting for big discount events like Black Friday to make a purchase. Instead, they value quality, exclusivity, and craftsmanship over bargain hunting. Brands like Alexander McQueen cater to this audience by focusing on delivering a premium experience rather than competing in price wars during shopping holidays.
Where (and How) to Find Discounts on Alexander McQueen
While Alexander McQueen doesn’t run a Black Friday sale directly, that doesn’t mean you’re completely out of luck. If you’re looking for ways to save on Alexander McQueen products around Black Friday, there are a few alternative options to consider:
1. Luxury Retailers
Third-party luxury retailers like Net-a-Porter, Farfetch, Mytheresa, and Ssense often include Alexander McQueen pieces in their seasonal sales. While these discounts are rarely as dramatic as Black Friday promotions from mainstream retailers, you can sometimes find select Alexander McQueen items—particularly older collections—marked down by 20% to 40%.
It’s worth keeping an eye on these retailers as Black Friday approaches, as they may offer promotions or site-wide discounts that apply to Alexander McQueen products. Just keep in mind that availability is limited, especially when it comes to popular sizes and styles, so acting quickly is key.
2. Outlets and Off-Price Retailers
If you’re open to shopping past-season styles, Alexander McQueen pieces occasionally show up at designer outlet stores or off-price retailers like The Outnet or Nordstrom Rack. These sites often carry discounted luxury items year-round, making them a good option if you’re looking for deals outside of Black Friday as well.
Outlet locations, such as those found in luxury outlet malls, can also be a good place to search for markdowns on Alexander McQueen handbags, shoes, and apparel. However, these discounts typically apply to older inventory and may not include the brand’s most iconic or current-season pieces.
3. End-of-Season Sales
While Black Friday isn’t part of Alexander McQueen’s discount calendar, the brand occasionally offers markdowns during end-of-season sales. These sales typically happen in January (following the fall/winter season) and June (after the spring/summer season). If you’re willing to wait a little longer, you might find select Alexander McQueen items discounted at this time.
4. Secondhand Market
Platforms like The RealReal, Vestiaire Collective, and Rebag specialize in pre-owned luxury goods and often feature Alexander McQueen items at a significant discount. Shopping secondhand is a great way to save money on luxury pieces while also supporting sustainability in fashion. Many of these platforms authenticate their products, so you can shop with confidence.
Questions & Comments
What are you planning on getting at Alexander McQueen’s? A cocktail dress? Maybe a new pair or jeans or a satchel? Let us know what’s on your holiday shopping list and how much you are planning on spending this Thanksgiving weekend in the comments below.