The fashion world suffered a huge loss today. On the heels of the start of New York Fashion Week and several weeks before before he was set to unveil his new collection at Paris Fashion Week, it has been reported that iconic fashion designer Alexander McQueen has died. Reportedly, McQueen took his own life, three years after his close friend and mentor Isabella Blow, herself committed suicide.

McQueen, in our eyes, was a fashion innovator and genius. He took all the right risks, always pushed the envelope with his creativity and continually made us fashionistas fall in love with his fashions, time and time again. His apparel collections were vibrant and over-the-top, and at times paid homage to his native England. His shoes and handbags were innovative, ranging from Victorian-style to gothic (with signature skull details), to funky (his alien-footed shoes from his Spring ’09 show) and even paid homage to icons (we see the Michael Jackson influence in the McQueen Faithful Glove clutch).

In the fashion world, where trends are fleeting and icons are rare, his influence and stamp on the industry will be everlasting, and sorely missed. Rest in peace Alexander McQueen.

Check out our favorite McQueen picks below: