Fashion designer Alexander McQueen found dead

The 40-year-old was discovered at his property in Green Street, in London's West End, shortly after 10am today.
Paramedics were called but he was pronounced dead at the scene. Police said his death is not being treated as suspicious.

A spokeswoman for the designer confirmed the news.
She 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."
His death comes just days before London Fashion Week, which is due to open on February 19, and as final preparations were being made to unveil a spring collection in Paris.
McQueen's close friend and fashion icon Isabella Blow, who helped launch his career, killed herself almost three years ago.
Blow, who was 48, collapsed at her Gloucestershire country home after telling friends she was going shopping.
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said today: "We were called by London Ambulance Service at about 10.20am this morning to reports of a man found dead at an address in Green Street, W1.
"He is believed to be 40 years old and from London. Next of kin have been informed, however we await formal identification before releasing the name of the deceased.
"A post mortem examination and inquest will take place in due course.
"The death is being treated as non-suspicious."
The designer's real name was Lee McQueen, but he was known as Alexander.
His design company, also called Alexander McQueen, said in a statement: "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."
Alexandra Shulman, editor of British Vogue, said: "Lee McQueen influenced a whole generation of designers. His brilliant imagination knew no bounds as he conjured up collection after collection of extraordinary designs.
"At one level he was a master of the fantastic, creating astounding fashion shows that mixed design, technology and performance and on another he was a modern-day genius whose gothic aesthetic was adopted by women the world over.
"His death is the hugest loss to anyone who knew him and for very many who didn't."
Designer Katherine Hamnett said: "He was a genius. What a terrible, tragic waste."
Vivienne Westwood said she was "incredibly sorry" to hear the news, a spokesman said.
McQueen's mother Joyce died on February 2. The designer told his followers on Twitter the sad news the next day.
He wrote: "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's Twitter page, McQueenWorld, has been taken down, but according to cached copies his last message was left on Tuesday.
Two police officers were standing this afternoon outside the entrance to the six-storey red-brick building, in an exclusive area of Mayfair, where McQueen lived.
Blinds were closed at many of the windows at the building, which is divided into flats.
The road, close to Hyde Park, was busy with through traffic.
A man with short blond hair, who said he was Mr McQueen's boyfriend, was allowed inside at 4.15pm.
The man, who did not give his name to reporters, declined to pay any tribute and looked distressed.
There were tearful scenes among staff working at McQueen's company headquarters in Farringdon, central London.
One woman was seen with her head in her hands while another man left the office in tears. He later crouched down overcome with emotion as he made a phone call.
The pair declined to comment before security guards blocked the view of the entrance with blank white canvases.
When asked how members of staff had taken the news at the office on Clerkenwell Road, one of the security guards said: "This is a very difficult day, we will not be commenting."