The legendary British fashion designer Lee McQueen of Alexander McQueen and McQ

The devastating news that 40-year-old, British fashion designer, Lee McQueen of Alexander McQueen, had been found dead at his luxury flat in Mayfair, central London, hit early today and sent a gloomy, mournful cloud over the fashion world.

The web filled with information about the fallen legend from all direction.  Pictures came next and it was particularly hard to escape the agony that was written across the face of a man with blond hair who was said to be McQueen’s boyfriend.

The doleful tears both outside his London flat and at his headquarters in Farringdon conveyed the deep feeling of emptiness and pain and loss.

McQueen had been under great strain from the death of his mother, Joyce, just days ago (Feb. 2) and was said to have been taking it very badly.  Style.com’s Tim Blank’s writes:

“It’s awful to imagine him trying—and failing—to cope, and one can only hope that, if he was looking for peace, he found it.”

The boys at JAWKSTRAP, like many, are simply devastated and in deep thought.  We can’t describe the mark Alexander McQueen left on us and surely the world. We just can’t. But Tim Blanks took the time to compose a beautiful write up and we think it best to direct you there.

Alexander McQueen – RIP by Style.com’s Tim Blanks