Shock waves rippled through the fashion world Thursday when news broke that British fashion designer Alexander McQueen had died at age 40.

Among his closest friends was supermodel Kate Moss whose rep issued a statement Thursday expressing her grief and sending condolences to his family.

"Kate is shocked and devastated at the tragic loss of her dear friend Lee McQueen. Her thoughts are with his family at this sad time. We would also ask that Kate's privacy is respected."

Other stars, from Kim Kardashian to Dita Von Teese, immediately took to Twitter to post tributes to the late-designer, born Lee Alexander McQueen, who died from apparent suicide.