Designer Alexander McQueen Found Dead

By Amanda Bellafiore,
BeansTalk Contributor


British fashion designer Alexander McQueen, has been found dead in his London home, the BBC reports.

Paramedics were called, but McQueen, 40, was pronounced dead at the scene. Police said his death was not being treated as suspicious.

A spokesperson for the designer confirmed the news issuing the following statement: “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. Lee's family has asked for privacy in order to come to terms with this terrible news and we hope the media will respect this."

His death comes one week after the passing of his mother, Joyce, and days before he was to unveil a new spring collection at London Fashion Week.

McQueen, winner of the British Designer of the Year, began as an apprentice on Saville Row where he made jackets at Gieves and Hawkes. In 1996, he was named head designer for the couture house Givenchy.

McQueen designed the now infamous breast-baring, support-less dress that Gwyneth Paltrow wore to the 2002 Academy Awards. Paltrow, who worked without a stylist and chose the McQueen dress herself, was widely criticized for the dress and has been since dubbed one of the classic celebrity fashion missteps.

Katie Holmes, Liv Tyler, Victoria Beckham, Christina Aguilera, Angelina Jolie, Cynthia Nixon, Kate Moss, Cate Blanchett and Sarah Jessica Parker are just a few of the many celebrities who favored McQueen's famously edgy designs of dresses and handbags.

His most signature design may be his feathered wedding dress, with an umbrella-shaped skirt that "Project Runway" villain Kenley was accused of knocking off in her final collection.