Famed Celebrity Designer Alexander McQueen Found Dead At London Home

World-renowned fashion designer Alexander McQueen was found dead in London at age 40; early reports say suicide.

The death of the go-to celebrity designer comes just days before the start of London Fashion Week and a few weeks prior to Paris Fashion Week where McQueen was scheduled to show. Perhaps even more telling, his death comes just days after the death of his beloved mother on Feb 2nd. 

His office released the following statement:

"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 McQueen's family. His family has asked for privacy in order to come to terms with this terrible news and we hope the media will respect this."

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.

Alexandra Shulman, the Editor and Chief of British Vogue had this to say:

“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 fashions 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.”

A longtime fashion innovator, the London-born McQueen got his start making custom suits for none other than Prince Charles. He has regularly dressed fashion "It" girls like: Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Gwen Stefani, Madonna, Cameron Diaz, Sarah Jessica Parker, Janet Jackson, and Fergie, just to name a few.

The four-time British Designer of the Year, Commander of the British Empire and International Designer of the Year will be sadly missed. (E!)

Photo via Getty Images

Tags Alexander McQueen, Beyonce, Cameron Diaz, Fergie, Janet Jackson, Lady Gaga, Madonna, Sarah Jessica Parker