Alexander McQueen RIP

From super low-slung trousers to skull scarves, extreme shoes to sharp tailoring, Alexander McQueen has come to be recognised as one of Britain’s greatest fashion designers. McQueen, real name Lee, trained at London’s prestigious Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design, and went on to work for Savile Row tailors Anderson and Sheppard and Gieves and Hawkes. He launched his own label in 1993 before going on to work as head designer at Givenchy.   McQueen was most famous for his controversial catwalk shows – his ‘bumster’ trousers which appeared in his collection in 1996 spawned the trend for super low-rise trousers. He has been awarded British Designer of the Year four times, been awarded a CBE for his contribution to British Fashion and named International Designer of the Year at the Council of Fashion Designer Awards. He has dressed some of the most famous women, including Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell and his close friend Isabella Blow, who died in 2007.   Thousands have been paying their respects to the late designer – yesterday Naomi Campbell visited the Alexander McQueen store in new York yesterday, whilst Alexandra Shulman, the editor of British Vogue said: "McQueen influenced a whole generation of designers. His brilliant imagination knew no bounds as he conjured up collection after collection of extraordinary designs."   His company, Alexander McQueen, issued a statement yesterday saying: "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."   Alexander McQueen – a true fashion legend. – HE

• Alexander McQueen