Fashion's L'Wren Scott found dead in NY in apparent suicide
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NEW YORK- Fashion designer L'Wren Scott, the girlfriend of Rolling Stones singer Mick Jagger, was found dead from an apparent suicide in her Manhattan apartment, police said on Monday.
Scott, a former model whose slim-fitting, dresses were favourites among Hollywood's A-list stars such as Nicole Kidman, Amy Adams and Penelope Cruz, was found hanging from a scarf.
"We are investigating it as a suicide," said New York police Detective Kelly Ort.
Police said they had preliminary information that Scott was 49, although that had not been confirmed by her family.
Jagger, 70, said through a spokesperson that he was "completely shocked and devastated." Scott's family issued a statement asking for privacy.
The glamorous pair had been dating since 2001 and were often seen at celebrity events, with the 6-foot, 3-inch tall, raven-haired Scott towering over her rock-star boyfriend.
The news of Scott's death stunned friends, clients and fellow designers. Kidman, a friend of 25 years, was "heartbroken and in shock right now and unable to say anything," her spokeswoman said.
Her death followed the untimely deaths of two giants in fashion who succumbed to suicide: British designer Alexander McQueen, who had suffered from depression, died in London in February 2010 at the age of 40, while his close friend, British fashion editor Isabella Blow, died in 2007 at the age of 48.
Scott became one of New York's most famous designers over the last decade, with a sensibility that catered to women's desire to feel powerful and sleek.
"She pushed aside interest in what was happening in fashion trends and on the runways, and designed for women, to give them confidence with their bodies in looks that were so beautiful," said Eric Wilson, the fashion news director at InStyle magazine.
FASHION, MUSIC WORLDS GRIEVE
Police said a female was found "unconscious and unresponsive" in an apartment building in the upscale Chelsea neighbourhood. Fire officials, who responded to a cardiac arrest call, said the woman was dead when they arrived.
Julie Bolcer, of the city's Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, said the office had not received the body nor begun work to determine the manner of death.
"Given the timing, that individual will probably be examined tomorrow and if everything is straightforward, the cause and manner of death would be available by tomorrow," she said.
Foul play was not suspected, police said.
A single bouquet of yellow daffodils was placed in front of the glass-fronted, high-rise building where Scott lived. Police cordoned off its entrance as a swarm of media gathered across the street.
The Rolling Stones were on tour, currently in Perth, Australia. It was not known whether they would cancel their concert there, scheduled for Wednesday.
Musician and fashion friends of the couple took to Twitter to express their grief.
"Devastated to have lost my friend," tweeted rocker Bryan Adams, who has photographed Scott. "Rest in peace my dear I'm gonna miss you. Condolences to all that were close to her."
Jagger's first wife, Bianca, said she was "heartbroken to learn of the loss of the lovely and talented L'Wren Scott. My thoughts and prayers are with her family."
American fashion designer Marc Jacobs said: "You'll forever be missed."
The British Fashion Council described Scott as a woman who inspired many.
"She will leave behind an exceptional legacy however we are so proud to have had her in our midst. At this sad time our thoughts are with her friends and family," it said in a statement.
KNOWING WHAT WOMEN WANT
Scott, born Luann Bambrough, was raised in Utah by adoptive parents. The dark-haired beauty started her career as a model in Paris before becoming a stylist and designer.
Her love of fashion began when she made her own clothes as a teenager, according to her website. As a model in Paris, Scott became more interested in making clothes than modelling them.
After moving to Los Angeles, she worked as a stylist and designed privately before creating her own collection.
Her styling background was important to who she was as a designer and she was constantly shopping for the women she dressed, Wilson said.
"That experience gave her an incredible amount of ammunition when she started designing her own clothes. She knew what worked best for all body types," he said.
It was unclear if Scott had shown any signs in her work or personal life that foreshadowed her death.
She cancelled a planned show for her fashion label at London Fashion Week last month.
The last collection that she showed in September 2013 was inspired by Japanese culture and featured embroidery and sleek lines: white below-the-knee dresses belted at the waist; red, black and white skirts, shorts and jackets; a bold yellow dress and pants.
Scott collaborated with many in the fashion and beauty industry, including Lancome for her first makeup collection, and designed Italian-made shoes, handbags, eyewear and a small holiday collection for Banana Republic last year.
Police stand guard outside designer L'Wren Scott's home in the Manhattan borough of New York March 17, 2014
Musician Mick Jagger and designer L'Wren Scott pose following her Fall/Winter 2012 collection during New York Fashion Week, February 16, 2012
Designer L'Wren Scott and rock musician Mick Jagger pose as they arrive at the 2009 Vanity Fair Oscar Party in West Hollywood, California February 22, 2009
Members of the media stand outside designer L'Wren Scott's home in the Manhattan borough of New York March 17, 2014
A police officer stands guard outside designer L'Wren Scott's home in the Manhattan borough of New York March 17, 2014
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Madonna and Anna Wintour pay tribute to L'Wren Scott
Madonna, Anna Wintour and Naomi Campbell have all paid tribute to L'Wren Scott, who was found dead from apparent suicide in New York this morning (17.03.14).
Madonna and Anna Wintour have paid tribute to L'Wren Scott.
The singer and the iconic Vogue editor have joined many in remembering the stylist and fashion designer, who was found dead from apparent suicide at her home in New York this morning (17.03.14).
Anna wrote on Vogue.com: ''I am deeply saddened by the loss of L'Wren Scott. L'Wren was a total perfectionist, someone who absolutely embodied everything her marvelous clothes stood for: strength of character combined with a confident and powerful style.
''In person, L'Wren was always unbelievably generous, gracious, kind, and so much fun. Her old world American manners and charm were from another time, but her sensibility was always fiercely modern. We will all miss her.''
Expressing her grief at the designer's passing at the age of 49, Madonna said: ''This is a horrible and tragic loss. I'm so upset. I loved L'Wren's work and she was always so generous with me.''
The tributes comes as pictures have emerged of L'Wren's partner of 13 years, Sir Mick Jagger, just moments after he had been told she had been found dead. The Rolling Stones singer looked visibly distraught as he left Coco's restaurant in Perth, Australia, where he has recently landed with the band to start a tour.
Others to pay tribute include model Naomi Campbell, who said: ''I am deeply shocked and devastated by the news.
''L'Wren was someone I knew since I was 17. We travelled the world together many times. L'Wren was someone I always loved. She was the epitome of elegance and femininity yet still had a girlish quality.
''I will miss her honesty and I will miss her friendship. My heart goes out to Mick and all who loved her and were loved by her. May she rest in peace.''
Pop singer Lily Allen wrote in Twitter: ''I have just got off a plane and heard the sad news of L'Wrens passing. What a terrible tragedy, I'm in shock. I saw her at the hairdressers only the other day.''
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Tributes flood in for L'Wren Scott
Bianca Jagger, Khloe Kardashian and Bryan Adams have led tributes to L'Wren Scott, who was found dead in her apartment in New York this morning (17.03.14).
Bianca Jagger has led tributes to L'Wren Scott.
The 49-year-old fashion designer was found dead this morning (17.03.14) appearing to have taken her own life and Bianca - the former wife of Sir Mick Jagger, who had been L'Wren's partner for the past 13 years - was among the first to pay respects.
She wrote on Twitter: ''Heartbroken to learn of the loss of the lovely and talented L'Wren Scott. My thoughts and prayers are with her family. May she rest in peace.''
Former model L'Wren was a sought after stylist and her clothing brand was very popular among celebrities, with fans including Nicole Kidman, Penelope Cruz and Michelle Obama, ensuring tributes were quick to flood in.
Khloe Kardashian - who had previously worn one of L'Wren's designs to appear on the cover of Glamour magazine - exclusively told BANG Showbiz: ''Oh my god that's horrible! When anyone passes away it's so tragic and horrible. I just pray for her family.''
Rocker turned photographer Bryan Adams, who was a friend of the designer, tweeted: ''Devastated to have lost my friend L'wren. @lwrenscott Rest in peace my dear I'm gonna miss you. Condolences to all that were close to her (sic).''
Bette Midler wrote: ''Just got news of the beautiful L'wren Scott's death perhaps by her own hand. I am devastated. A rare, wonderful, talented soul. Goodbye (sic).''
Actress Olivia Wilde said: ''L'wren Scott was brilliant, elegant, kind, and generous. S**t. My heart goes out to her loved ones. What a tragedy (sic).''
From the fashion world, designer and close friend Marc Jacobs wrote: ''Rest in peace, L'Wren Scott. You'll forever be missed.''
A friend close of L'Wren said there had been no outward signs she was unhappy before her tragic passing at her apartment in New York.
The source told the New York Post that at Christmas ''she was perfectly normal, she was giving out advice.
''I've never known her to say anything to me like 'I'm sad'. Everybody who knows L'Wren and Mick are totally and completely shocked.
''Neither of them drink and do drugs, and they were always really affectionate with each other. There were no signs of problems in their relationship.''
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Mick Jagger 'devastated' by L'Wren Scott's death
Mick Jagger is ''completely shocked and devastated '' by the death of L'Wren Scott, his partner of 13 years.
Sir Mick Jagger is ''completely shocked'' by the death of L'Wren Scott.
The Rolling Stones singer was on tour with the band in Australia when he was informed his partner of 13 years has died of an apparent suicide today (17.03.14).
His spokesperson said: ''He is completely shocked and devastated by the news.''
Fashion designer L'Wren was found hanging from a scarf on a doorknob in her home in Manhattan, New York, by her assistant at around 10 o'clock this morning.
The assistant went to the apartment and let herself in after receiving instructions to do so by text message from L'Wren.
A New York police department spokesperson said: ''At approximately 10.05 hours police responded to 200 11th avenue.
''Upon arrival, officers discovered a 49-year-old female, unconscious and unresponsive. Emergency Medical Services also responded and pronounced the aided DOA [Dead On Arrival] at the scene. The investigation is ongoing and the medical examiner will determine the cause of death.''
New York Police have also said there is no suspicion of foul play connected to the death, but they are awaiting the examiner's formal report.
L'Wren - a former model, who stands at 6' 3'' - had met Mick on a photo shoot in 2001 when she was working as a stylist. They started dating, but didn't appear together publicly until 2005, when they attended the Golden Globes ceremony. In recent years they had divided their time between New York and London - where she has a design studio - and also owned a flat in Paris together.
After years as a successful model and stylist, L'Wren launched her own brand in 2006, which became a favourite of many celebrities, including Sarah Jessica Parker, Michelle Obama and Christina Hendricks.
Her friend, actress Nicole Kidman, said of her clothing: ''She knows what aspects to accentuate in a woman, and is able to make you feel incredibly sexy and sophisticated when you are in one of her exquisite designs.''
L'Wren was born Luann Bambrough in Utah and raised by adoptive parents before moving to Paris while still a teenager to work as a model.
Her fashion career also included designing costumes for films, including 1996's 'Diabolique', 'Ocean's Thirteen', 'Eyes Wide Shut' and 'Shine a Light', a documentary about The Rolling Stones.
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L'Wren Scott 'sacrificed a lot' for Mick Jagger
L'Wren Scott's former maid says she ''sacrificed a lot'' to be with The Rolling Stones singer Sir Mick Jagger.
L'Wren Scott's former maid says she ''sacrificed a lot'' to be with Sir Mick Jagger.
The fashion designer's tragic death from apparent suicide was discovered in New York this morning (17.03.14), and her former maid, Lupe Montufar - who served L'Wren from 1993 until 2009 - says her 13-year relationship with The Rolling Stones frontman came at a price.
Although she made clear she doesn't know what drove L'Wren to take her own life, Lupe told the New York Daily News newspaper: ''She would tell me she wanted to get married and have a family, but she didn't want to get her hopes up or say it out loud to Mick. She didn't want to pressure him.
''She always dreamed about having fame, fortune and money. She had all that in her hands with him.
''She sacrificed a lot to be with him. A few years ago, she thought she'd be with him forever and have a family.''
It has emerged that L'Wren's fashion company was in debt at the time of her death, but friends say she was always too headstrong to ask her famous partner for financial help.
Mick, 70, was said to be ''completely shocked and devastated'' by L'Wren's passing and is thought to be heading from Australia, where he was due to start a tour, to New York.
Lupe, 57, stopped working for L'Wren when she sold her Los Angeles home in 2009 to spent more time in New York and Europe.
She added: ''She was very loud and fun when she was young, but with Mick she turned more quiet. She used to yell 'Lupe' in a fun, boisterous voice, but later it was much softer and more reserved. He had her under his spell.''
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L'Wren was in debt when she died
L'Wren Scott's fashion company was £3.5 million in debt when she was found dead after apparently taking her own life.
L'Wren Scott was £3.5 million in debt when she died.
The fashion designer was found in her New York apartment this morning (17.03.14) having apparently taking her own life, leaving her friends, family and partner - The Rolling Stones singer Sir Mick Jagger - devastated.
According to accounts for her business, LS Fashion LTD, which were filed in the UK in October 2013, the company was in trouble, with a deficit of £3,546,000 and the designer owing creditors £4,593,000.
Friends have said the former model - known for her headstrong ways - had always refused financial help from her multi-millionaire partner of 13 years.
Speaking about L'Wren's fashion label, which she started in 2006, a source told MailOnline.co.uk: ''L'Wren was in a lot of financial trouble. She was unable to pay her staff and her suppliers and it had been going on for a very long period of time.
''She wanted so badly for things to be a success. Whereas she got her outfits on a number of high profile people, the clothes were not a commercial hit and didn't fly off the shelves. It was a huge burden on her and she didn't want to fail.
''Everyone was very much left wondering why she didn't ask Mick for help. But she didn't. Things were left a long time and she spent the past few months struggling to pay the vast amount of her outgoings. It was a tragic situation and she kept it from everyone.
''Her staff expected the company to go under and her fabric suppliers and tailors were close to ending their working relationship. The bills just weren't getting paid.''
A spokesperson for Mick - who is currently on tour in Australia said he is ''completely shocked and devastated'' by his partner's death.
L'Wren, who is a former model and stylist, had cancelled a show at London Fashion Week in January, saying at the time fabrics arrived too late for samples to be sewn for the event. It is now thought the real reason was her financial difficulties.
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Designer L'Wren Scott committed suicide by hanging - official
NEW YORK - Fashion designer L'Wren Scott, found dead in her high-rise Manhattan apartment on Monday, committed suicide by hanging, the New York City medical examiner's office said on Wednesday.
Police had been treating the death of the 49-year-old former model and stylist who was the girlfriend of Rolling Stones lead singer Mick Jagger as an apparent suicide after finding the her body with a scarf around her neck.
The Medical Examiner did not release any more details about her death. Her family has yet to announce funeral arrangements.
In a posting on his official website, Jagger, who had dated Scott since 2001 and was in Australia when he received news of her death, spoke of his distress and sorrow.
"I am still struggling to understand how my lover and best friend could end her life in this tragic way," he said in the post on mickjagger.com. "She had great presence and her talent was much admired, not least by me."
Jagger attended many of her fashion shows and the raven-haired 6-foot-three Scott was often pictured towering over her rock-star boyfriend at celebrity events.
The Rolling Stones postponed concerts in Australia and New Zealand after learning of her death. The group had been due to start the seven-concert leg of their world tour on Wednesday in Perth, Australia. Fans were told to keep their tickets until further information was released.
Scott's sleek, sexy designs were popular among Hollywood stars such as First Lady Michelle Obama and Nicole Kidman, who was also Scott's friend.
Although her gowns were featured regularly on red carpets, her company faced mounting debts. Last October in accounts filed in London her firm, LS Fashion Ltd, reported a loss of 4.3 million euros (US$5.99 million) in 2012, an increase from 3.0 million euros the previous year.
American fashion critic Cathy Horyn, who had known Scott since the mid-1990s when she worked as a stylist for photographer Herb Ritts, said Scott was planning to close her business and was going to make an announcement this week.
"Still, as painful as the decision must have been for her, I wouldn't draw any conclusions from it about her state of mind. Nor should any credence be given to reports of a breakup with Mick. It's rubbish," she wrote in The New York Times, where she was fashion critic from 1999 to earlier this year.
A lone bouquet of flowers sits on the ground outside the building of designer L'Wren Scott in the Manhattan borough of New York, March 17, 2014
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L’Wren Scott dead: Mick Jagger pays tribute - ‘I am struggling to understand how my lover and best friend could end her life in this tragic way'
Mick Jagger has paid an emotional tribute to his girlfriend, the late L’Wren Scott, saying that he is “struggling to understand” what led the fashion designer to take her life yesterday
Scott was found dead by her assistant at her Manhattan apartment yesterday morning. She is thought to have committed suicide.
In a statement on his website Jagger posted the following:
“I am still struggling to understand how my lover and best friend could end her life in this tragic way.
“We spent many wonderful years together and had made a great life for ourselves.
“She had great presence and her talent was much admired, not least by me.
“I have been touched by the tributes that people have paid to her, and also the personal messages of support that I have received.
“I will never forget her.
“Mick.”
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L’Wren Scott funeral: Mick Jagger and kin say goodbye at Hollywood gravesite
The entire Hollywood Forever Cemetery was on lockdown as Mick Jagger and 60 family members and close friends gathered for fashion designer L’Wren Scott’s funeral. Longtime Rolling Stones backup singer Bernard Fowler and ex-Eurythmics guitarist Dave Stewart performed ‘Will the Circle Be Unbroken.’ Celebrity attendees included Nicole Kidman and her husband, Keith Urban.
Mick Jagger and children James Jagger, Gabriel Jagger, and Georgia May Jagger are seen on the balcony of his hotel suite in Beverly Hills.
Mick Jagger was a Stone alone Tuesday at a small, private Los Angeles funeral service where he shared heartfelt memories of his 13 years with girlfriend L’Wren Scott.
The distraught rock Hall of Famer’s bandmates were not among the 60 invited guests at the intimate Hollywood Forever Cemetery service — and neither was Scott’s estranged sister from Utah, Jan Shane.
The touching ceremony, conducted inside white tents to keep the paparazzi from interrupting the service, instead featured three generations of Jaggers speaking.
“You could tell Mick was nervous,” a source told the Daily News. “It was very emotional. . . . The mood was somber throughout.”
A choked-up Jagger recalled moments from his globe-trotting romance with Scott, while his daughter Jade read Psalm 19 and her sibling Karis shared a poem.
A visibly shaken Mick Jagger and his children were in Los Angeles to attend L'Wren Scott's funeral Tuesday.
“Forgive my hidden faults,” read Karis, a close friend of Scott, 49. “Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression.”
Grandkids Mazie and Zak, among the youngest of the 20-member Jagger contingent on a warm West Coast afternoon, read Psalm 23.
Scott’s body was cremated after the service, according to the source.
Bold-faced names in attendance included Ellen Barkin, Nicole Kidman and husband Keith Urban, and rocker Bryan Adams.
An aerial view of the Hollywood Forever Cemetery during L'Wren Scott's funeral in Los Angeles.
Barkin read a poem, while Adams was a former London neighbor of Scott.
Talent agent Justinian Kfoury, O magazine creative director Adam Glassman and costume designer Ira Hammons-Glass — who worked with Scott on the Stones documentary “Shine A Light” — all shared their “memories and words of tribute,” according to a news release on the funeral.
But there was no sign of longtime pals Keith Richards, Charlie Watts or Ron Wood at the service led by the Rev. Ed Bacon, of All Saints Church in Pasadena.
The traditional folk song “Will the Circle Be Unbroken” was sung by longtime Stones backing vocalist Bernard Fowler, accompanied by former Eurythmics member Dave Stewart on guitar.
Scott’s brother, Randy Bambrough, spoke as well, and his daughter Hannah read a sonnet by Shakespeare.
Jagger, 70, left quickly inside a black SUV once the service was done.
“When Randy spoke about his sister, Mick was visibly upset,” the source said.
The 6-foot-3 fashion designer committed suicide March 17, hanging herself with a scarf inside her luxury Chelsea apartment.
Fashion designer L'Wren Scott and Mick Jagger, above in 2012, were romantically involved at the time of her shocking suicide eight days ago.
Scott’s high-end clientele included First Lady Michelle Obama and Oscar winners Angelina Jolie and Sandra Bullock.
Jagger and the mourners left the famous cemetery for a private get-together at the Sunset Tower Hotel, about a nine-minute drive from Hollywood Forever.
At the somber affair in the hotel’s Tower Bar, Karis was outfitted in black pants with a sleeveless blue lace high-neck top.
Nearby, Brittany Penebre, the personal assistant who found Scott’s body, was visibly shaken. She was leaning on a friend for support, sniffling softly.
Jagger, 70, has hunkered down with family at the Four Seasons Hotel, above, after canceling his tour in Australia.
Jagger, in a white shirt and dark vest and suit jacket, looked utterly exhausted and grief-stricken over the loss of his longtime lover.
The famous frontman has yet to publicly address the shocking death, instead releasing a Facebook message last week.
“I am still struggling to understand how my lover and best friend would end her life in this tragic way,” he said.
Scott’s sister Jan, who wanted her sibling buried in a family plot with their parents in Utah, was not at the service, the source said
The adopted sisters had not spoken in six years, since the death of their mother.
Security was super-tight, with the whole cemetery under lockdown and guests arriving by car that parked inside tents set up around the gravesite.
Guests were asked to surrender their cell phones and cameras before heading into the service.
Reporters and photographers began staking out the famous cemetery hours before the service’s afternoon start. Among those buried in the celebrity-studded cemetery are Douglas Fairbanks, Jayne Mansfield and Johnny Ramone.
L'Wren Scott's brother Randy Bambrough and assistant Brittany Penebre attended the designer's funeral Tuesday in Los Angeles.
The LAPD was later summoned to maintain order outside Hollywood Forever before a motorcade of a dozen vehicles, including a Mercedes bus, arrived by slipping through a side entrance.
Jagger and Scott first met during a 2001 photo shoot, and became a globe-trotting pair for the next 13 years.
Security guards locked the cemetery gates Tuesday morning, steering aside visitors trying to reach the graves of their loved ones.
The Los Angeles service provided closure for Jagger, who has hunkered down with family at the Four Seasons Hotel as he struggled with Scott’s sudden death.
The singer, whose band canceled a series of shows in Australia after the death, appeared Monday for about 15 seconds on the balcony of his Beverly Hills suite.
Scott was just weeks short of her 50th birthday at the time of her death.
Shortly before the service, the Stones announced plans for their first-ever concert in Israel — a June 4 gig in Tel Aviv.
Liz Jagger (left) and Georgia May Jagger leave a reception at Sunset Towers hotel for L'Wren Scott following her funeral in Hollywood.