The fashion world remains paralysed with shock today as the news of Alexander McQueen's tragic death begins to sink in.
The autumn/winter 2010 show season got off to a subdued start in New York, where McQueen's diffusion line, McQ, was due to be presented yesterday afternoon. Kate Moss' Longchamp launch, scheduled to take place in London, was cancelled as a mark of respect and shocked fans made the pilgramage to the Alexander McQueen boutique on New Bond Street, where bouquets of flowers built up on the pavement outside.
The 40-year-old designer, real name Lee, was found dead in his Mayfair flat yesterday morning. His office confirmed the sad news later in the day, releasing a statement that read: "On behalf of Lee McQueen's family, Alexander McQueen today announces the tragic news that Lee McQueen, the founder and designer of the Alexander McQueen brand has been found dead at his home. At this stage it is inappropriate to comment on this tragic news beyond saying that we are devastated and are sharing a sense of shock and grief with Lee's family."
He is believed to have hanged himself on what was the eve of his beloved mother Joyce's funeral.
Scores of industry insiders and the celebrities who wore his clothes have paid tribute to the man who took on fashion's "enfant terrible" tag and evolved into the most influential designer of his generation. Below are just a handful of them.
Picture: Alexander McQueen with Naomi Campbell at a fashion party last year.
Naomi Campbell
I am truly devastated to lose my close friend. His talent had no boundaries and he was an inspiration to everyone who worked with him and knew him. This is a sad day to all who loved him around the world and my condolences are with his family. I will miss him so much, he will never be forgotten.
John Galliano
McQueen was daring, original, exciting. He shook up the establishment with his creativity and understood what it takes to be a great British ambassador for fashion. I admired him very much. He was a fashion revolutionary that, like me, made the journey from [Central] Saint Martins to Paris where he put his own unique mark on the industry. He will not be forgotten.
Jean Paul Gaultier
I am really saddened by Lee's passing on a human level, but also on the artistic one. A great talent has left us and we will miss him and everything that he has done for fashion.
Donatella Versace
His imagination had no limits and his strong personality, together with his strong creativity, made him unique.
Kate Moss (via a representative)
Kate is shocked and devastated at the tragic loss of her dear friend Lee McQueen. Her thoughts are with his family at this sad time. We would also ask that Kate's privacy is respected.
Victoria Beckham
McQueen was a master of fashion, creative genius and an inspiration ... the fashion industry has lost a true great, an icon of all time. He made all he touched beautiful and will be desperately missed.
Sarah Jessica Parker
Every single inspired, original, lofty, whimsical, stunning, brilliant and jaw dropping detail was Alexander McQueen. There has never been anyone like him. And there simply never will be. What is more devastating is that despite all his success thus far, creatively, critically and commercially, his greatest achievements lay ahead of him. The future would be whatever he hoped to make of it. God speed Lee. It has been a privilege for all of us to know you. You will be indescribably missed.
Alexandra Shulman
Lee McQueen influenced a whole generation of designers. His brilliant imagination knew no bounds as he conjured up collection after collection of extraordinary designs. At one level he was a master of the fantastic, creating astounding fashion shows that mixed design, technology and performance and on another he was a modern day genius whose gothic aesthetic was adopted by women the world over. His death is the hugest loss to anyone who knew him and for very many who didn't.
Madonna
Lee McQueen was a truly unique visionary in the world of fashion. A creator of beauty. What a tragedy.
Anna Wintour
We are devastated to learn of the death of Alexander McQueen, one of the greatest talents of his generation. He brought a uniquely British sense of daring and aesthetic fearlessness to the global stage of fashion. In such a short career, Alexander McQueen's influence was astonishing - from street style to music culture and the world's museums. His passing marks an insurmountable loss.
Phillip Lim
I'm speechless. It makes me ill. If anything positive can come out of this, we should take the moment to appreciate what we have, what we do... I love what I do, and I should be damn appreciative that I can still do it.
Heidi Klum
He was absolutely one of the most talented, extraordinary designers in the world ever. Very extraordinary. Thinks outside the box, not just the basics.
Philip Treacy
In a world where every man and his dog is a designer, Alexander McQueen was the real deal. His talent was supersonic.
Helena Bonham Carter
It's absolutely tragic. What horrible news. It's just horrendous to think that someone was so devastated by his mother dying.
Rachel Zoe
I can't describe the tragic loss of such a brilliant man and designer.
Sandra Bullock
A brilliant artist has left the building. My thoughts go out to those who love and care for him, and who are now experiencing the great void he left behind.
Camilla Belle
This is a devastating loss for both the fashion industry and art world. Alexander McQueen's designs were consistently unique and pushed boundaries. I always felt extremely special when wearing his creations, and am deeply saddened that we have lost this artistic genius too soon.
Alexander McQueen: A life in pictures
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