London, Feb. 11: Top British fashion designer Alexander McQueen was found dead at his flat in London on Thursday morning. He was 40.
"Mr McQueen was found dead this morning at his home. We’re devastated and I hope you understand that out of respect to his family and his colleagues we’re not going to be making any further statement," a spokesperson for the fashion designer, who was found at his flat at Green Street in central London, said on Thursday afternoon.
The Metropolitan Police did not reveal the cause of his death, but said it was not being treated as suspicious. McQueen apparently committed suicide, but there has been no police confirmation as yet. He was discovered at 10.20 am Thursday and the paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene.
"A post-mortem examination and inquest will take place in due course. The death is being treated as non-suspicious," the police added.
McQueen, who died just a week before the start of the London Fashion Week on February 19, was due to unveil his new collection at Paris Fashion Week on March 9.
McQueen, who was born in 1969 in London’s East End as Lee Alexander McQueen, lost his mother on February 2. On February 3, he wrote on his McQueenWorld Twitter account: "i’m letting my followers know the my mother passed away yesterday if it she had not me nor would you RIP mumxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (sic)."
McQueen was said to be depressed over his mother’s death and had posted his struggle to come to terms with her death, but there has been no official confirmation. McQueen’s official website has been taken offline and his Twitter account has been suspended.
Starting out as an apprentice tailor at Savile Row, McQueen went on to complete a degree at Central St. Martins School of Art and Design and his graduation collection was bought by famous stylist Isabella Bow.
McQueen was a towering icon of British fashion design and had won the accolade British Designer of the Year four times between 1996 and 2003. "We are deeply shocked and saddened at the news of Alexander McQueen’s untimely death. He was a unique talent and one of the world’s greatest designers," the British Fashion Council said in a statement.
Sarju Kaul