Fashion & Beauty

McQueen bugs out — with help from Damien Hirst

Insect big things this winter: Alexander McQueen is revamping its signature skull scarf with creepy, crawly motifs inspired by artist Damien Hirst. A capsule of 30 designs adapted from Hirst’s “Entomology” series transforms the classic skeleton pattern into a kaleidoscope of spiders, butterflies, beetles and bugs, all immersed in electric color.

Scarves in purple, $645, at alexandermcqueen.com

Given their mutual preoccupations with life and death, symmetry and discord, flora, fauna and the really, really expensive, a collaboration between McQueen and Hirst seems only natural. The silky shawls — which first appeared 10 years ago on the Elizabethan buccaneers McQueen fashioned for his spring 2003 “Irere” collection — have become a quintessential accessory in the designer’s canon, as well as a requisite for celebrity closets. Famous fans include Nicole Richie, Mary-Kate Olsen and even Chris Colfer’s character Kurt on “Glee.”

This isn’t the first time Hirst has lent his iconoclasm to fashion. Last year he peppered polka dots and prescription pills on $55,000 crocodile bags for The Row (cheers to you again, Mary-Kate). And earlier this year he put the same “Entomology” insects on Prada purses that were sold, in true high-art style, at auction.

Yet at prices ranging from $515 to $1,175, the McQueen scarves may be the most attainable (and prettiest) pieces to pluck from Hirst’s oeuvre. The limited-edition designs are available now at Alexander McQueen boutiques and in the scarf shop at alexandermcqueen.com.