Image Credit: Mike Marsland/WireImage.comBritish fashion designer Alexander McQueen (né Lee McQueen), whose cutting-edge dresses were worn by stars like Madonna, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Lady Gaga, was found dead in his London home this morning. He was 40 years old. “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,” reads a message on the official website of the designer’s company. Rumors have begun to circulate online, but officials say the the cause of death remains unknown. “We’re devastated and I hope you understand that out of respect to his family and his colleagues we’re not going to be making any further statement,” said the designer’s spokewsoman in a statement.
McQueen rose to fame in the ’90s, earning a reputation for his impeccably tailored avant-garde looks and iconoclastic fashion shows. He got a relatively traditional start on Savile Row, designing for Givenchy before creating his own label under the Gucci umbrella in 2001. McQueen’s designs were red-carpet regulars, especially on Sarah Jessica Parker, Kate Moss, and Naomi Campell. A few of McQueen’s most famous works include Gwyneth Paltrow’s see-through 2002 Oscar dress and the “armadillo” shoes worn by Lady Gaga in her 2009 “Bad Romance” music video.
Since his death was announced earlier today, several celebrities have taken to Twitter to pay tribute to the designer.
DitaVonTeese: “Rest in peace, Mr. McQueen.”
Joel Madden: “R.I.P. Alexander McQueen. You were one of the best man. Always hoped to meet you.”
Kelly Osbourne: “i am so so sad to hear the news of Lee (Alexander) McQueen! i really just dont know what say im really in shock”
Kim Kardashian: I just found out Alexander McQueen died!!! I’m in shock! So sad! I’m wearing one of his dresses now! He was such a talented designer”
Kirstie Alley: ALEXANDER MCQUEEN…you made big bottomed and not so big bottomed girls all over the world look stunning..come back soon..give it another go”
Rachel Zoe: “I cant describe the tragic loss of such a brilliant man and designer Alexander McQueen..R.I.P xo RZ”
Tyra Banks: “RIP Alexander McQueen. so so sad. such a huge loss. He was one of my favorite designers. He will be missed.”
More Alexander McQueen:
Alexander McQueen’s dark Tweets in the days before his death
PopWatch: Remembering Alexander McQueen: What was your favorite creation?
Gallery: 12 Unforgettable McQueen designs
This is incredibly sad. He was so so talented. One more reason to stay away from vapid people and drugs.
Too True!!!
Drugs had nothing to do with it. Alexander McQueen committed suicide, 9 days after his mother died.
I am well aware of the circumstances as I worked for him.
OMG!!! This is so sad!! I’m so shocked! He was so talented and so young! I can’t believe this!
Yeah and I’m the Queen of England James.
Ya think?
EXCUSE ME. Why on earth would you put a link up to McQueen on the worst dressed list in his death announcement?? Yes, people remember that dress, but they may also remember the hundreds of other stunning, incredible, innovative designs he created. McQueen was brilliant and I find it incredibly disrespectful that you would not only put up his one most famous misstep, but link to it appearing in a worst dressed feature on this sad day. Please rethink this. Maybe you could post this incredible link to the preview for his planned show at the upcoming Paris fashion week instead? http://www.fashionverbatim.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/mcqueen-ss10-adcampaign.jpg
What you have posted here just diminishes his impact and the fact that he’ll be missed by so many.
Sad, sad, sad… he was very talented. The fashion world is in mourning.
OMG!!!!! he is SO talented, i can’t believe this…. The world will miss him.
RIP, he will be missed. He was a talented artist.
this is so sad. RIP .
So sorry to hear that! It was a limited rlaseee, so you had to know ahead of time which stores were carrying it. Only one in my area carried it, but I found out and went out and bought lovely things! They look SO much better in person than online! I love the collection, even the stuff I just appreciate but isn’t my style. I do hope you find one that has it. If you were in Texas I could tell you which ones were carrying it.
It’s really sad. RIP.
He did some really amazing dresses for Bjork too. Talented guy. What a shame.
Probably that swan dress.
Really? You all have heard of him? Oh well, don’t do drugs (and yes I am speculating, so deal with it). No sympathy for those who self destruct.
If you didn’t speculate so much & bothered to search any news site, you’d know that drugs had zero to do with, and that he in fact committed suicide. Don’t jump to conclusions.
Also, Alexander McQueen is one of the most famous designers in the world – I don’t think that it’s implausible that 12 people would have heard of him.
Even worse then. No sympathy for those who commit suicide either. Get over it.
NOt sure which is worse!
Amy you’re completely closed-minded .. I think what people are saying is it was drugs AND suicide. Obviously depression factored in. Isn’t it possible both did him in?
I’m in Ireland, and it’s been reported all day from Britain that he hanged himself, so no it isn’t possible that both did him in.
If no sympathy for those who self destruct why comment on an article where fans are expressing sympathy for something that is so sad?…there is no need to be heartless and crass. When somebody dies its sad….its always sad. Somebody’s son has died…somebody’s brother…It’s sad no matter what you think happened, no matter the speculation, no matter what you thought of him. there were people who loved him and he’s no longer with them. He was an incredible talent and he was very well known the world over. I was familiar with his work as were many others.
I hope he rests in peace and my sincere condolences to his family.
I guess if what Amyt tells me is true, why is it sad if he committed suicide. If he didn’t care about his own life, why should we?
Maybe Shamrock is jealous? I hardly ever use the “J-word”, but this moment is appropriate.
Really? Because You haven’t heard of him, you’re shocked that others have. Oh well, Shamrock – and I’m speculating “so deal with it” – I expect you are not too nice of a person. No sympathy for those who blog before thinking.
Why because I’m not a phony like you. Are you going to go volunteer for a suicide organization and take calls? Don’t be a hypocrite.
so if someone you knew or loved (if you’re capable of that is questionable) committed suicide you would not be sad. it isn’t sad that he felt that such a drastic action was necessary? You don’t think it sad that he’s dead even if its at his own hand? even if you think suicide is selfish or does not warrant sympathy it is no excuse for you to attack people on a blog who are simply trying to do the human thing and be sympathetic. If you do not feel the same way then why come here and comment? you obviously do not care so why comment negatively?
No, I came to call out all the phonies.
So you’re endowed with some power that makes you capable of discerning a sincere comment from a ‘phony’ one via anonymous blog? You’re calling out the ‘phonies’ by saying things like “If he didn’t care about his own life why should we?” I hope you never experience the pain that is having someone you know committ suicide. I really do.
Shame on you for your thoughtless posts.
Oh Shamrock, guide us with your Holden Caulfield knowledge. Expose the phonies!
When I first saw it and before I had read any ctomenms or reports about the dress, I was immediately reminded of Grace Kelly’s wedding gown. While I think Grace Kelly’s gown was more elegant and more fit for a Queen (or princess), Middleton’s gown was very reminiscent of the Grace Kelly look.
You’ve clearly had no love in your life as you feel the need to come onto a website and insult a bunch of people who are not hurting you. In fact, they have nothing to do with you, but you love to spread hatred because you wish you could have this many people care when you die.
No sympathy for tactless douchetards who hide behind the anonymity of the internet to spout hateful nonsense just to make themselves feel big.
Shamrock, I really hope no one says mean things about you the day you die. I don’t know why you think people deserve that from strangers or why anyone cares about your hate.
This. Just because you [Shamrock] feel apathetic doesn’t mean you should act unsympathetic about the whole thing.
While I can honestly say I never really cared about what McQueen did over his life, the fact that he committed suicide over his mother death (or anybody/anything, really) is heart wrenching.
I wonder how you’d feel if war veterans or abuse victims killed themselves to relieve their depression.
cowards like u don’t have anything better to do cept make make anonymous mean comments that you would never say in person… cuz if you did, we’d have to slap ur face!
Shamrock’s family is 100% perfect. No one on his family tree has ever done drugs. NO ONE!
This is a shame, my rule is that when life’s got you down, always aim your frustrations at others first, if that doesn’t work then take it out on yourself. Rest in peace Mr. McQueen.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/2849791/Fashion-legend-Alexander-McQueen-found-hanged.html
rest in peace. how sad at such a young age.
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the label “dress” designer comes nowhere near what he was, and is almost offensive.
I’m so upset about this I’m crying at work. I can’t even bring myself to care about upcoming fashion weeks anymore.
Really? Did you know him personally? Wow.
You don’t have to know someone personally to feel loss. I never met Jesus, but I’m sad he died.
ger – please tell me you’re kidding. If not, then this is the best unintentionally funny comment of the day.
Sorry cjscott, the Jesus line was a joke. In all seriousness, McQueen’s death has made me quite sad.
No, I didn’t know him nor did I know anything about his personal life. But I loved his work, and there won’t be any more of it. His show was always the high note. I’m sorry my being upset bothers you so much, but McQueen was a brilliant designer at the apex of his career. His death is a great loss to the fashion world.
RIP Alexander McQueen, you are a talent and creative genius.
-”I love this look but im not sure if the shoes go right on her. they might be over powering her. I love her neck piece pierad with the dress, and honey that makeup goes off.!Werq -Keir Ricardo Miller”