RIP Alexander McQueen

British fashion icon Alexander McQueen commits suicide days after death of his beloved mother

By REBECCA CAMBER and SARA NATHAN

British fashion designer Alexander McQueen was discovered dead today after taking his own life.

The industry was left reeling after the 40-year-old's suicide this morning, which comes just days after the death of his beloved mother, Joyce.

It is also just three years since his close friend, style guru Isabella Blow - who plucked him from obscurity and helped him become a star - killed herself.

McQueen, who was christened Lee but used his middle name as a designer, was found at his luxury flat in Mayfair, central London. It is believed he hanged himself.

One of his lines, McQ, was due to be shown at New York Fashion Week this afternoon but the show has now been cancelled.

I love McQueen's work though I sometimes find it too theatrical but my deepest condolences go to McQueen's family and friends.

The pictures above are the new 2010's Resort collection.The collection had a lot in common with his recent menswear outing: Both were inspired by the notion of an artist in his studio. Hence the splatter effects, brushstroke and line-drawing prints, and a series of blue and white hand-painted pieces. Additionally, the women's line had a bit of romance in the form of lace overlays as delicate as insect wings. Still, fans of the graphic punch that is also part of McQueen's arsenal won't be at a loss: Amber Rose, sometime Kanye West main squeeze and one of this label's most visible supporters, could cause a stir in the leggings and the primary-colored Op-style prints.