Fashion designer Alexander McQueen — beloved by celebs like Lady Gaga, Gwen Stefani, Janet Jackson and others — left behind scores of friends and admirers when he was found dead in London Thursday at age 40.
"He was absolutely one of the most talented, extraordinary designers in the world ever," a visibly shaken Heidi Klum told UsMagazine.com Thursday morning at a Destination Maternity event in New York City. "Very extraordinary. Thinks outside the box, not just the basics."
"I'm in shock! So sad!" Tweeted Kim Kardashian. "I'm wearing one of his dresses now! He was such a talented designer."
Fashionista Victoria Beckham said, "He made all he touched beautiful and will be desperately missed. My heart is very much with his family and friends at this very sad time."
Supermodel Naomi Campbell grieved: ""I am truly devastated to lose my close friend…This is a sad day to all who loved him around the world and my condolences are with his family. I will miss him so much, he will never be forgotten."
A rep for Kate Moss said that the British model is "shocked and devastated at the tragic loss of her dear friend…Her thoughts are with his family at this sad time"
Tyra Banks mourned via Twitter: "so so sad. such a huge loss. He was one of my favorite designers. He will be missed."
Kirstie Alley also paid tribute to McQueen:"you made big bottomed and not so big bottomed girls all over the world look stunning..come back soon..give it another go"
Dita von Teese said simply: "Rest in peace, Mr. McQueen."
Kelly Osbourne wrote, "i am so so sad to hear the news…i really just dont know what say im really in shock"
The fashion world, of course, is devastated. As New York's Fashion Week kicks off in NYC's Bryant Park on Thursday, NYmag.com fashion blog The Cut noted that the "tents [are] in mourning over McQueen. Some tears." Thursday's presentation of McQueen's lower-priced line, McQ, was cancelled.
In a statement, Vogue's famous editor-in-chief Anna Wintour called McQueen "one of the greatest talents of his generation…In such a short career, [his] influence was astonishing – from street style, to music culture and the world's museums. His passing marks an insurmountable loss."
Designer Philip Lim told UsMagazine.com in Bryant Park Thursday, "I'm speechless. It makes me ill. If anything positive can come out of this, we should take the moment to appreciate what we have, what we do…I love what I do, and I should be damn appreciative that I can still do it."
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"He clearly was so talented, somebody everybody in the fashion world really not only loved personally but also really respected. [His] recent show was just incredible and had everybody talking," Cyndi Leive, editor-in-chief of Glamour magazine told UsMagazine.com Thursday.
Elle magazine's editor-in-chief Robbie Myers told UsMagazine.com: "It's shocking, sad and heartbreaking…[He had] so much to say to the rest of us, and we were all listening. Your heart breaks…God, it's horrible."
"He was a great designer," Glenda Bailey of Harper's Bazaar tells Us. "The fashion industry has lost one of our greatest talents.
McQueen's London office confirmed his death to UsMagazine.com Thursday. While early reports claim McQueen was distraught and hung himself, a spokesperson tells Us, "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 [Alexander's] family."
