Alexander McQueen: Fashion Royalty Pay Their Respects at Memorial Service

LONDON (AP/CBS) In the middle of London's Fashion Week, stars, models, editors and designers gathered at St. Paul's Cathedral on Monday, to celebrate the life and legacy of Alexander McQueen.

The 40-year-old designer took his own life in February, an event that shocked the designing world.

Pictures: Alexander McQueen's Fashions Pictures: Alexander McQueen

He had a history of depression and was said to be devastated by the recent loss of his mother. His suicide has deprived the British fashion world of its biggest and most controversial star.

The morning service, which briefly brought London Fashion Week to a halt, was attended by 1,000 mourners including Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss, Sarah Jessica Parker, Jade Parfitt and Stella McCartney.

Anna Wintour, editor-in-chief of the American edition of Vogue magazine, was the first of McQueen's admirers to speak. Wearing an elegant black-and-gold outfit, she praised his "exceptional legacy of brilliant inspiration."

She said McQueen was never satisfied with his work and always vowed to do better, even when he had broken new ground.

Wintour and others hinted at his dark side. She spoke of his sometimes "savage tongue" and the discomfort he felt with the social niceties required by the fashion world.

"We always forgave Alexander," she said after describing how McQueen failed to show up for his first-ever Vogue photo shoot and then told editors there that he couldn't care less about the magazine - one of the fashion industry's most influential publications.

"It was beautiful, but very intense," said Parfitt afterward. "I'm at a loss for words."

Icelandic singer and actress Bjork, wearing an unusual McQueen outfit complete with mock wings, sang "Gloomy Sunday," a dark song dealing with death and loss popularized by American singer Billie Holiday. The choir sang several hymns and family members offered prayers.

Bagpipers led mourners from the church when the service ended around noon.

Jewelry designer Shaun Leane spoke about his long, intense friendship with McQueen, and leading hatmaker Philip Treacy read one of the prayers.

McQueen became famous for dramatic and often hard-to-define creations, like lobster-claw high heels made famous by Lady Gaga. They never sold in great numbers, but his was one of fashion's best-known brands.