by Shannonn Kelly
4:22PM, EST, Thursday February 11, 2010

UK Celebrity fashion designer Alexander McQueen was found dead at his London home today. He was 40 years old.

UK Police sources have confirmed McQueen committed suicide, after reportedly hanging himself.

The London-born designer, known as Lee to his friends, was famous for designs such as ‘bumster’ trousers and skull-printed scarves.

McQueen’s death is just just days before the start of London Fashion Week and ahead of Paris Fashion Week, when he was set to unveil his new collection on March 9th. His official website has been temporarily taken down.

McQueen’s communications director Samantha Garrett spokeswoman for his company – also called Alexander McQueen, told Reuters by telephone:

“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.”

The Metropolitan Police also confirmed the fashion star’s untimely death, releasing a statement saying:

“We were called by London Ambulance Service at about 10.20am this morning to reports of a man found dead at an address in Green Street, W1.

“He is believed to be 40-years-old and from London. Next of kin have been informed, however we await formal identification before releasing the name of the deceased. “A post mortem examination and inquest will take place in due course. “The death is being treated as non-suspicious.”

McQueen was a favorite of celebrity fashionistas such as Sarah Jessica Parker, Lady GaGa, Rihanna and Bjork to name a few.

McQueen’s mother Joyce passed away on February 2 and Alexander posted on hisTwitter various missives “i’m letting my followers know the my mother passed away yesterday RIP mum x”

A minute later he added: “but life must go on!” Then on Sunday, McQueen wrote: “sunday evening been a f****** awful week but my friends have been great but now i have to some how pull myself together …”

According to Jody Thompson, Mirror UK

McQueen’s tragic death comes just weeks before the start of London Fashion Week, one of the highlights in the calendar of the industry.

Posting on an industry website, one fan wrote poignantly: “London Fashion Week without Alexander McQueen is like fabric with no needle and thread…Lee you will be missed.”

Alexandra Shulman, editor of British Vogue, 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.”

Designer Katherine Hamnett said: “He was a genius. What a terrible, tragic waste” and Vivienne Westwood said it was “terrible news.”

Son of an East End taxi driver and brought up in a council house, McQueen trained on Savile Row – and once famously wrote something rude using tailor’s chalk in the lining of a suit made for Prince Charles.

He went on to head legendary fashion house Givenchy, before teaming up with Gucci and launching his own-name label, plus a string of boutiques around the world.