via GREGORY KATZ, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
LONDON — Influential and controversial British fashion
designer Alexander McQueen, a leading light in the fashion firmament,
was found dead in his London home Thursday, his company announced. He
was 40 years old.
The circumstances pointed to a possible suicide but there was
no official confirmation from police or McQueen’s publicists.
British police did say the death was not suspicious, suggesting they
did not believe it was a murder.
McQueen’s sudden death robbed the fashion scene of one of
its most innovative and successful young designers. He made his name
first in London, then wooed audiences in Paris, New York and Milan to
take his place in the upper echelons of
the designing world.
His clothes were sexy and distinctive, dramatic and different,
perfect for red-carpet presentations and late night rock gatherings.
Acclaim and honours came in waves to the talented, bearded man
favoured by celebrities like Madonna, Lady Gaga, and Naomi Campbell. He
was named British Fashion Designer of the Year on four separate
occasions.
Despite the accolades, McQueen clung tenaciously to his
privacy, turning down most interview requests and shying away from the
post-show limelight other designers craved.
Known for his dramatic statement pieces and impeccable
tailoring, he helped raise the profile of British fashion and was
recognized by the Queen in 2003 when she made him a Commander of the
British Empire for his fashion leadership.
His pieces were coveted and treasured by stylish women across the globe.
“McQueen influenced a whole generation of designers. His
brilliant imagination knew no bounds as he conjured up collection after
collection of extraordinary designs,” said Alexandra Shulman, the
editor of British Vogue.
Hal Rubenstein, a fashion director for InStyle magazine, said
McQueen started out tough and angry — in his work and attitude
— but softened over time as he felt more appreciated by the
industry.
McQueen, he said, was a master of integration of technology into fashion.
“He changed the way so many of us see shows.”
Vivienne Westwood, perhaps Britain’s most revered
designer, said she was “incredibly sorry” to hear of
McQueen’s death. Model Kate Moss, another McQueen aficionado,
said she was devastated at the loss of her dear friend.
Little was immediately known about the circumstances
surrounding his death, which came as the fashion elite was gathered in
New York for a series of catwalk shows.
Recently posted comments on his Twitter page showed signs of anguish over the Feb. 2 death of his mother.
He said he wanted his mother to rest in peace and said, “But life must go on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
Using an obscenity, he added that he had had an “awful
week“ and said he had to “some how pull myself together and
finish.”
A presentation of McQueen’s secondary label, McQ, had
been scheduled for Thursday’s opening day of New York Fashion
Week.
McQueen had never been expected at the show, which was quickly cancelled.
The designer received his early fashion training at the Central
St. Martin’s College of Art and Design, long recognized for its
fashion-forward approach and encouragement of Britain’s talented
young designers.
He learned the finer points of traditional men’s
tailoring at two famous, conservative Savile Row houses: Anderson and
Sheppard and also Gieves and Hawkes.
“He was 16 when he came here,” said John Hitchcock
of Anderson and Sheppard. “He was a boy from Essex, he wanted to
learn tailoring. He was a little bit different — he was very
ambitious.”
He said McQueen’s success had inspired the next generation of designers.
After his Savile Row stint, McQueen started to develop his
trademark, more theatrical designs, working with several other brands
before first starting his own label in 1992.
He quickly earned a reputation for innovation that lasted until
his death. His last name soon entered the fashion lexicon and become
synonymous with new and cutting edge.
The company he founded was purchased by the Gucci Group, and he retained creative control of his own brand.
His runway shows — more often like performance pieces
because they were so dramatic, and sometimes, bizarre — were
always a highlight during the Paris ready-to-wear fashion week.
One of his previous collections included a show built around
the concept of recycling, with models donning extravagant headwear made
out of trash. His last collection, shown in October in Paris, featured
elaborate and highly structured cocktail dresses. Critics raved.
His edgy creations have been seen on numerous red carpets, worn by A-list actresses, including Sandra Bullock and Cameron Diaz.
Lady Gaga recently made waves when she wore McQueen’s
spring 2010 lobster-claw shoes in her “Bad Romance” music
video.
McQueen’s death came days before London Fashion Week, an event McQueen had skipped in recent years.
with file from Raphael G. Satter and Sylvia Hui in
London, Jenny Barchfield in Paris and Samantha Critchell in New York.
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