McQueen ‘laughing with Isabella in heaven’

ALEXANDER McQueen’s family gathered for his mother’s funeral yesterday just one day after the fashion designer killed himself.

The British designer’s family had discussed postponing the funeral of Joyce only hours after learning that Alexander had taken his life.

The celebrated designer’s body was discovered at his £1 million flat in London’s West End.

The 40-year-old, whose full name was Lee Alexander McQueen, was mourning his mother, who died 12 days ago.

His body was found on the eve of his mother’s funeral.

His family gathered at his parents’ home in Hornchurch, Essex, yesterday before leaving for a crematorium nearby.

McQueen’s brother Michael, 49, said the family was still coming to terms with Alexander’s death.

“It is just so raw,” he told the London Evening Standard. “We are grieving. Everyone is too upset to say anything.

“But mum’s funeral is going ahead. It has all been arranged.”

Writing on his Twitter page, McQueenWorld, last week, McQueen told followers his mother had died.

He wrote: “I’m letting my followers know that my mother passed away yesterday if it she had not me nor would you RIP mumx”

A minute later he added: “But life must go on!”

The fashion designer’s body was taken from his flat in Green Street, off Park Lane in Mayfair, shortly before 5pm on Thursday.

Yesterday McQueen’s friends took comfort from the belief that the fashion designer has been reunited with his mentor Isabella Blow, who killed herself almost three years ago.

Selina Blow, Isabella’s sister-in-law and a fellow designer, said: “I can imagine the two of them kicking it up, scrapping and laughing together once more.

“Alexander McQueen was a true maverick, a revolutionary who had an extraordinary eye for tailoring.”

The tragedy came a week before the start of London Fashion Week, and McQueen was also due to unveil his spring collection at Paris Fashion Week in early March.

Fashion heavyweights and celebrities lined up to pay tribute to McQueen, the son of an East End cab driver who was named British Designer of the Year four times and was awarded the CBE.

Editor of British Vogue Alexandra Shulman called the designer a “modern-day genius”.

“His death is the hugest loss to anyone who knew him and for very many who didn’t.”

Dame Vivienne Westwood was “incredibly sorry” to hear the news.

A spokesman for Kate Moss said: “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.”

Actress Helena Bonham Carter said: “It’s absolutely tragic. What horrible news. It’s just horrendous to think that someone was so devastated by his mother dying.”