The fashion world is mourning the loss of a "modern-day genius" following the apparent suicide of Alexander McQueen.
The celebrated British designer's body was discovered at his £1 million flat in London's West End.
The 40-year-old, whose full name was Lee Alexander McQueen, was mourning his mother, Joyce, who died 11 days ago.
Sources said he was found hanged on Thursday - on the eve of his mother's funeral.
Fashion heavyweights and celebrities lined up to pay tribute to McQueen, the son of an East End cab driver who was named British Designer of the Year four times and was awarded the CBE.
Editor of British Vogue Alexandra Shulman called the designer a "modern-day genius".
She said: "Lee 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 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."
Fellow designers expressed their shock at McQueen's sudden death. Dame Vivienne Westwood was "incredibly sorry" to hear the news. Katherine Hamnett said: "He was a genius. What a terrible, tragic waste."
Kate Moss, who was close friends with McQueen, cancelled publicity engagements in central London in the wake of the news. Her spokesman 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."
