In case you haven't heard...

British fashion designer Alexander McQueen, a once-rebellious showman and former Givenchy designer,  reportedly hung himself in his London home Thursday.  This tragedy shocks the world, consequently,  on the opening day of New York Fashion Week.

Friends of McQueen say the designer suffered a deep depression when his mother, Joyce McQueen, died last week.

The 40-year old apparel and costume designer enjoyed remarkable success as a student at London's well-known Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design, where his college collection was discovered by British editor and stylist Isabella Blow (McQueens' mentor and close friend, this prominent fashion figure also succumbed to suicide in 2007).  With couture collections reflecting his defiant personality, plus a mastery for detail, Alexander McQueen brought style to a level never before seen in British fashion.  Once named the "Hooligan of English Fashion", McQueen will be remembered by everyone from an attention-grabbing celeb clientele to Queen Elizabeth II. 

In addition to designing onstage costumes for Michael Jackson, Madonna and movies like Marie Antoinette (2006), Alexander's clients included event planner Mimi Van Wyck, who wore his famous osctrich feather wedding dress, valued at over $10K.  Lady Gaga's ensembles also reflected her love for McQueen, donning muppet-inspired dresses (right) to the new armadillo high heels in her music video for Bad Romance.

McQueen's collections will undoubtedly receive more attention than ever this season, set to appear on the London and Paris Fashion Week Runways.  Alexander McQueen will be remembered for countless astonishing looks inspired from the likes of Cleopatra, Marie Antoinette, recycled trash and footwear inspired by  animals like, well, Armadillos (as in high heels, below, Spring 2010). 

Aside from tweeting somber reactions during today's fashion shows, The Cut reports that the Alexander McQueen's downtown  New York boutique has shut its doors until Saturday.   From his closest friends and A-list clients to a world's worth of fashion fans, he will be sorely missed.