British Fashion Designer Alexander McQueen Possible Suicide
Alexander McQueen, a renowned but controversial British fashion designer, was found dead in his London apartment this morning. He was 40.
McQueen is speculated to have committed suicide, though no one has commented on the nature of his death. He was said to have been troubled as of late, particularly after the deaths of Isabella Blow, the stylist who discovered him, in 2007 and his mother in early February of this year. Authorities say the death is not suspicious.
McQueen was born the youngest of six, and at 16, he left school to apprentice at two highly respected English tailors. After studying in Italy for a time, he returned to England to earn a master’s degree from Central St. Martin’s design college. It was there where Blow discovered his work, including buying his entire thesis collection.
As a young designer, McQueen’s collections often made people uncomfortable as he would depict models as mentally insane or victims of rape. Later, however, his designs gained acceptance when they were viewed as commentaries on the self-centered, “over-the-top” world of fashion.
McQueen was named British Fashion Designer of the Year on four separate occasions. Additionally, Queen Elizabeth II made him a Commander of the British Empire in 2003 for his leadership in English fashion.
[photo: ButchDiva]
Tags: Alexander McQueen, British, controversial, fashion designer, Isabella Blow, suicide
