LONDON – The wife of Britain’s prime minister opened London’s semiannual fashion extravaganza Friday with a tribute to the late designer Alexander McQueen.
Sarah Brown, the wife of Gordon Brown, said the seven-day event would be a “reflective time with sadness at the passing” of McQueen.
The British designer, known for his cutting edge creations, hanged himself only days after his mother’s death. McQueen’s apparent suicide will darken fashion week, normally a time of champagne and frivolity.
A wall of condolences for McQueen was set up inside the cavernous fashion tent pitched in the courtyard of Somerset House.
Writing her message with a magic marker, 18-year-old Hayley Roberts said McQueen’s death “was the biggest shock all year.” Other tributes read: “What a waste” and “long live McQueen.”