Factbox: Fashion world in shock over Alexander McQueen death

LONDON/NEW YORK (Reuters) - British fashion designer Alexander McQueen, 40, was found dead at his London home on Thursday in an apparent suicide. Following are some reactions from the worlds of fashion and entertainment on the day that New York fashion week kicked off.

* "We are devastated to learn of the death of Alexander McQueen, one of the greatest talents of his generation. He brought a uniquely British sense of daring and aesthetic fearlessness to the global stage of fashion. In such a short career, Alexander McQueen's influence was astonishing -- from street style, to music culture and the world's museums. His passing marks an insurmountable loss" -- U.S. Vogue editor Anna Wintour.

* "(His) passing will be mourned deeply. He has left us too soon; he had so much more to give, but the legacy he leaves us is a rich one and one that we will cherish and honor" -- Robert Polet, president and CEO of the Gucci Group.

* British model Kate Moss said she was "shocked and devastated at the tragic loss of her dear friend Lee McQueen."

* "He was a genius. What a terrible, tragic waste" -- designer Katharine Hamnett.

* "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" -- Vogue UK editor Alexandra Shulman.

* "I found his work very interesting and never banal. There was always some attraction to death, his designs were sometimes dehumanized" -- Chanel designer Karl Lagerfeld.

* "Alexander McQueen's death is a terrible loss. It is horrifying to know that he was in that much pain. Alexander's talent was immense and full of poetry ... he was a REAL IMPORTANT designer who will stay immortal in the history of Fashion" -- Diane von Furstenberg,

* "Alexander McQueen, you made big bottomed and not-so-big bottomed girls all over the world look stunning ... come back soon... give it another go" -- actress Kirstie Alley, via Twitter.

* "Today, the fashion industry has lost a true great. An icon of all time. He made all he touched beautiful and will be desperately missed" -- singer Victoria Beckham.

* "We are all saddened and shocked by the loss of Alexander McQueen -- a true genius" -- designer Tory Burch, on Twitter.

* "Alexander McQueen was one of the greatest fashion designers of his generation. His sometimes provocative genius, admired and hailed by all, was constantly opening up new perspectives" -- Francois-Henri Pinault, chief executive of French luxury goods group PPR.

* "Alexander McQueen's work and personality will stay forever unforgettable" -- designer Catherine Malandrino, via Twitter.

* "A brilliant artist has left the building. My thoughts go out to those who love and care for him, and who are now experiencing the great void he left behind" -- actress Sandra Bullock.

* "I am truly devastated to lose my close friend. His talent had no boundaries and he was an inspiration to everyone who worked with him and knew him. This is a sad day to all who loved him around the world and my condolences are with his family. I will miss him so much, he will never be forgotten" -- British model Naomi Campbell.

(Reporting by Paul Casciato in London, and Michelle Nichols in New York and Jill Serjeant in Los Angeles; Editing by Bob Tourtellotte and Peter Cooney)