RIP Alexander McQueen (1969-2010)

Today the fashion world is in shock at hearing the news the great British fashion icon, Lee Alexander McQueen has died. McQueen sadly took his own life at his London home this morning.

It is said he was troubled over the recent loss of his mum who died last week; subsequent posts on Twitter revealed he was finding the tragedy hard to deal with. The news comes nearly three years after McQueen’s close friend and person who discovered him, Isabella Blow, committed suicide.

London Fashion Week is about to start and the designer was to unveil his new collection at Paris Fashion Week next month. Both events will undoubtedly be overcast by a sombre mood as the industry mourns its loss.

McQueen's family has asked for privacy in order to come to terms with the news and countless high profile celebrities have already paid tribute to the designer.

Supermodel Tyra Banks, who hosts fashion show America's Next Top Model, said it was a "huge loss".

A statement released on behalf of supermodel Kate Moss said she was "shocked and devastated" at the death of her "dear friend".

Born in London in 1969 as the youngest of six children, McQueen left school at the age of 16 and was offered an apprenticeship at the traditional Savile Row tailors Anderson and Shephard, then at neighbouring Gieves and Hawkes.

At 20 he was employed by the designer Koji Tatsuno. A year later McQueen travelled to Milan where he worked as a design assistant to Romeo Gigli. He returned to London in 1994 where he completed a master's degree in fashion design at Central St Martins College. His degree collection was famously bought in its entirety by Isabella Blow who was a leading figure in the fashion world.

In October 1996 McQueen was appointed chief designer at the French label Givenchy where he worked until March 2001.

In December 2000, 51 per cent of Alexander McQueen was acquired by luxury brand Gucci, where he became creative director. Expansion followed and included the opening of flagship stores in New York, London and Milan.

McQueen was a four-time winner of the British designer of the year award as well as the international designer of the year award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America. He was awarded the CBE in 2003.

The news comes at a time when it seems many talented, young people in the public eye have recently died prematurely.