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Understanding Alexander McQueen Date Codes, Authenticity & Serial Numbers

Alexander McQueen garments feature a systematic approach to date tags and serial numbers that allows for precise identification of an item's collection and gender category. This system was formally introduced for garments from Autumn/Winter 2002 to the present day.

Decoding the Date Code

The date code is part of a longer serial number typically found on the interior care label. To identify the collection year, look for a four-digit year following a two-digit prefix.
  • Men’s Mainline: Codes begin with UP54, followed by the four-digit year (e.g., UP54 2009).
  • Women’s Mainline: Codes begin with UP55, followed by the four-digit year (e.g., UP55 2003).
  • McQ (Diffusion Line): These items may use UP59 for women and UP60 for men.

Manufacturing vs. Collection Year

The year printed on the tag indicates the year of manufacture, which does not always match the year the collection was released:
  • Autumn/Winter (AW) Collections: The manufacturing year matches the release year. For example, a tag marked UP54 2009 identifies a piece from the AW09 collection.
  • Spring/Summer (SS) Collections: Items are manufactured in the year prior to release. A tag marked UP55 2003 identifies a piece from the SS04 collection.

Serial Number Structure and Authenticity

Beyond the date, the serial number and overall label provide critical data for authentication:
  • Style and Tracking: The top of the tag often includes UPC codes and internal tracking numbers, followed by the specific style number or garment name.
  • Consistency: Authenticators check that the style information is consistent across all tags, including both sewn-in and hang tags.
  • Label Evolution:
    • 2004–2015: A specific style of label was used during this window.
    • Post-2015: Labels transitioned to a black label with white writing or a white label with black writing.
    • 2018 Transition: The brand logo changed in 2018 from a bold serif font with "gothic flair" (elongated tails on the Q and N) to a sleeker, more minimalist serif font.

Modern Technological Indicators

For contemporary "Brand Approved" items, the physical tag may be supplemented by an embedded NFC (Near Field Communication) tag. Owners can tap these with a smartphone to instantly access digital authentication records on a blockchain, which verify the garment's unique token and provenance.

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