Alexander McQueen and his mother

The British fashion designer Alexander McQueen has been found dead at the age of 40 in his London home.

Although there aren't any confirmed reports, it is said he committed suicide by way of hanging himself.

A spokeswoman for McQueen said: "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."

The death comes days before the start of London fashion week and a month before the designer was to unveil his new collection at Paris fashion week.

McQueen with Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss

His company, Alexander McQueen, issued a statement 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."

Comments had been posted on McQueen's Twitter page, McQueenWorld, expressing his distress over the death of his mother on 2 February.

He wrote last week: "i'm letting my followers know the my mother passed away yesterday if it she had not me nor would you RIP mumx"

A minute later he added: "but life must go on!"

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..."



McQueen and Isabella Blow

McQueen was also distraught over the loss of the woman who discovered him, Isabella Blow who died in 2007 of suicide.



McQueen at Friend Isabella Blow's funeral

The world has truley lost a fashion great with the loss of McQueen.