BRITISH fashion designer Alexander McQueen has been found dead after apparently committing suicide at his home.

The 40-year-old was discovered at his property in Green Street, in London's West End, shortly after 10am on Thursday.

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 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.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "We were called by London Ambulance Service at about 10.20am this morning (Thursday) 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. 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 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.

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."