McQueen’s death casts shadow on fashion world
The British designer’s body was discovered at his £1 million flat in London’s West End yesterday.
The 40-year-old, whose full name was Lee Alexander McQueen, was mourning his mother, Joyce, who died 11 days ago.
Sources said he was found hanged.
A spokeswoman for the designer said his friends and colleagues were “devastated” by the tragic news.
His design company added: “We are devastated and are sharing a sense of shock and grief with Lee’s family.”
Figures from the world of fashion and celebrity joined together in shock to pay tribute to McQueen.
Alexandra Shulman, editor of British Vogue, said: “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.”
Former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham spoke of her sadness at the loss of a “creative genius” and said he would be “desperately missed”.
“McQueen was a master of fashion, creative genius and an inspiration,” she said.
“Today the fashion industry has lost a true great. An icon of all time. He made all he touched beautiful and will be desperately missed.”
Beckham, who is now a designer herself, added: “My heart is very much with his family and friends at this very sad time.”
A spokesman for model Kate Moss tonight 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.”
Dame Vivienne Westwood was “incredibly sorry” to hear the news.
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.
“He had such lovely vision, originality comes quite hard these days. Originality and success.”
Writing on his Twitter page, McQueenWorld, last week, McQueen told followers his mother had died.
He wrote: “i’m letting my followers know the 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!”
His body was taken from his flat in Green Street, off Park Lane in Mayfair, shortly before 5pm. A police spokesman confirmed the death was not being treated as suspicious and a postmortem examination would be carried out.
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