Tears for a genius: SJP and fellow fashionistas salute Alexander McQueen

It was a fitting way to remember their friend, a maverick talent who dazzled the world with the aching beauty - and outrageousness  - of his designs.

Led by Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell and Sarah Jessica Parker, the fashion set gave thanks for the life of Alexander McQueen at an emotional service in London.

And the dress code for the send-off? Well, there was only one that was going to cut it: extravagant creations from McQueen's last few collections.

Some mourners also worn tartan - a trademark of his inspired by his lineage which was part Scottish.

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Also in the congregation at St Paul's Cathedral was a heavily pregnant Stella McCartney, stylist Daphne Guiness (pictured left) and Anna Wintour.

The renownedVogue editor described him as a "complex and gifted" young man who transported his fans "into a world of sensation where you could be shocked, repulsed or thrilled." "As a child he loved nothing more than sitting on the rooftop and watching birds fly by.

"He showed us everything was possible; dreams could become reality. But he has left us with an even more exceptional legacy, a talent that soared like the birds of his childhood above us all."



Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell and Sarah Jessica Parker

The 40-year-old designer took his own life in February, the day before he was to have attended his mother Joyce's funeral.

He had left a note saying: "Look after my dogs, sorry, I love you, Lee."

Lee, as his friends called him, suffered from depression.

And he was also said to have been affected by the suicide of his close friend and mentor, legendary stylist Isabella Blow in 2007.

She launched him on the road to fashion stardom, buying his entire graduate collection from Central St Martin's College.

He became Givency's chief designer, founded his own label and won a string of prestigious. The London-born maestro was also made a CBE.