High fashion designer Alexander McQueen has taken his life at the age of 40. The news comes as a shock to many, since he has often been referred  to as one of this generations true fashion greats. A powerful designer with an ability to incorporate complex themes into his work, his latest collection drew attention from socials such as Daphne Guiness and Lady Gaga, who famously wore one of his elaborate designs in her Bad Romance video.  A spokeswoman announced on Thursday that McQueen was found dead at his London home.

“We don’t have any information in terms of circumstances,” said Samantha Garrett, McQueen’s communications director, though she revealed that the designer’s body was found at his central London flat on Thursday morning.

According to reports in British media, paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene, while police said the death was not being treated as suspicious.

Born Lee Alexander McQueen to a working class family living in social housing, the designer dropped out of school during his teens and landed an apprenticeship on London’s venerable Savile Row. During his years there, his clients included major figures such as Prince Charles and Mikhail Gorbachev.

He later returned to school, enrolling in the Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design and graduating with a degree in fashion.

According to reports, the designer had also been depressed following the recent death of his mother, Joyce, and had posted a number of worrying messages on his Twitter account in the past few days.