British fashion designer
Alexander McQueen
has been found dead after
apparently committing
suicide at his home.

The 40-year-old was discovered at his property in Green Street, in London’s West End, shortly after 10am today.

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

His death comes just days before London Fashion Week, which is due to open on February 19, and as final preparations were being made to unveil a spring collection in Paris.

McQueen’s close friend and fashion icon Isabella Blow, who helped launch his career, killed herself almost three years ago.

McQueen’s mother Joyce died on February 2. The designer told his followers on Twitter the sad news the next day.

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!”

On Sunday McQueen wrote: “sunday evening been a f****** awful week but my friends have been great but now i have to some how pull myself together …”

McQueen’s Twitter page, McQueenWorld, has been taken down, but according to cached copies his last message was left on Tuesday.

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.”

Designer Katherine Hamnett said: “He was a genius. What a terrible, tragic waste.”

A former British Designer of the Year winner, Mr McQueen started his career as an apprentice in Savile Row, where he learned how to make jackets at Gieves and Hawkes.

In 1996, the man nicknamed “the hooligan of English fashion”, with his close-cropped hair and Doc Martens, was named head designer at the Paris couture house of Givenchy.

A statement released by his office – referring to the designer by his given first name, Lee – read: “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.”