By: Jill Klausen

This morning the fashion world awoke to the shocking news of Alexander McQueen’s passing. Reports are still coming in and over the next few days and weeks more details will surely come to light about the circumstances leading to his death. But what we do know is that we lost one of fashions most innovative and daring leaders.

As someone who loves fashion, I’ve always counted McQueen as one of my favourite designers. His clothes were simply stunning. He worked with some of the most influential people in the fashion world, from Lady Gaga to Isabella Blow, his muse, mentor and friend.

He was never boring. He knew how to put on a show and seemed to delight in finding new and unusual ways to stage his runway presentations. He has sent his models through snowy wonderlands and post-apocalyptic wastelands. For Spring/Summer 1999 supermodel Shalom Harlow, in a full white dress, stood on a rotating section of runway as two robotic arms whirled around her. Mists of black and lemon yellow paint sprayed from the arms, leaving an erratic trail on Harlow and the dress.

The finale of McQueen’s Fall/Winter 2006 show featured a hologram of Kate Moss, then in the midst of a drug scandal, enveloped in a frothy, voluminous gown, swimming in mid-air. The image billowed and twisted as it shrank and shrank until it dissipated into a tiny pinpoint of light.

Alexander McQueen was a man who changed the landscape of British fashion. His passing is a loss for not only his family and friends, but for everyone who loves fashion. He will truly be missed.