The tragic death of Alexander McQueen...

I've just arrived home wanting to write a post about my lovely afternoon of window shopping around the trendiest boutiques in Paris, in spite of the cold winter day, full of snow...

But as I checked my mail, I got a message from my producer, Carla, with the saddest news... Alexander McQueen was found dead, after killing himself at age 40.

He was so talented... It's worth remembering him and let's hope his soul may find eternal peace...

Born in 1969 in London's East End, son of a taxi driver, at an early age Mc Queen started making dresses for his three sisters and then announced his intentions of becoming a fashion designer. He graduated from the prestigious St. Martins College of Art & Design of London and his talent soon caught the attention of Savile Row's tailors Anderson & Shepard. He then worked for Koji Tatsuno and Romeo Gigli before opening his own boutique. 

With his own brand he became famous among the British thanks to his revolutionary designs, supported by a loyal clientele with many fashionistas, as stylist Isabella Blow, who also committed suicide three years ago.

In October 1996 he won the Best British Designer of the Year Award and later that year he was chosen to replace John Galliano as Head Designer at Givenchy, because of his "brilliant creativity and craftsmanship." 

In 1997, year in which he presented four collections for Givenchy and two for his own brand, he shared the Best Designer Award with John Galliano.

In December 2000, Francois Pinault's Group, owner of Gucci, bought his label, which allowed him to quit Givenchy and LVMH which, he said, limited his creativity. 

Also considered an "enfant terrible," his talent and artistic vision transformed him into one of the big names of fashion design of all time.

McQueen's style was brutal but lyric, gothic yet sensitive, as if becoming from a Fairy tale. His critics, none the less, accused him of being too gore and misogynic. 

However, his designs always had a certain femininity that attracted clients as Björk or even the Duchess of Westminster.

In 2003 he launched his first perfume, Kingdom, and a Men's Collection done to order at Savile Row. 

He also presented collections at Paris' Fashion Weeks and had stores in the main cities of the Word.

Rest in Peace, Alexander.

Images of his last Spring 2010 Collection.

You can see the entire photos of the runway show here.