Fashion industry pays tribute to designer Alexander McQueen

LEADING figures from the world of fashion paid tribute to designer Alexander McQueen, who was found dead at his London home today.

• Alexander McQueen acknowledges the audience at the launch of his fall/winter collection in Milan last month. He was found dead at his London home today.

A statement released on behalf of model Kate Moss said: "Kate is shocked and devastated at the tragic loss of her dear friend Lee McQueen. Her thoughts are with his family at this sad time."

Alexandra Shulman, editor of British Vogue, describing McQueen as a "modern day genius".

"Lee McQueen influenced a whole generation of designers," she said. "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."

Vivienne Westwood was "incredibly sorry" to hear the news, a spokesman said.

Katherine Hamnett said: "He was a genius. What a terrible, tragic waste."

Designer Matthew Williamson said: "I am shocked and deeply saddened by McQueen's death. He was a genius and his talent was second to none.

"Like many others, I always cited him as a hugely inspirational leader of world fashion. He will be greatly missed."

Actress Helena Bonham Carter said: "It's absolutely tragic. What horrible news. It's just horrendous to think that someone was so devastated by his mother dying.

"I loved McQueen. Tim (Burton – her partner) did some drawings for one of his shows, did a shirt with him together.

"He had such lovely vision, originality comes quite hard these days. Originality and success."

Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw said: "Alexander McQueen made an outstanding contribution to British fashion.

"His extraordinary talent and creativity mean that his designs are adored not just by followers of haute couture but lovers of great style everywhere.

"This is a great loss to one of Britain's most successful industries and to the design world more widely."

A spokesman for the magazine publisher Conde Nast described the news as "so sad" and said the company was "quite devastated" by McQueen's death.