The fashion industry was devastated yesterday with the news of the tragic death of designer L’Wren Scott, who was found dead in her Chelsea apartment of an apparent suicide.
Photo by Bryan Adams, 2011
A remarkably graceful and talented woman, Ms. Scott grew up with Mormon parents in a small town in Utah. By the time she was 12, the statuesque L’Wren was already six-feet tall, and began to sew and design her own clothes to fit her impressive stature, modifying things she picked up at thrift stores.
Scouted at age 18 by photographer Bruce Weber, she started her fashion career as a model, working for Chanel, Thierry Mugler, and Calvin Klein. Later, she became a celebrity stylist and costume designer.
In 2006, she launched her own successful fashion line with a collection called ‘The Little Black Dress,’ and she went on to dress many of Hollywood’s A-list celebrities. Last year, she released a successful holiday capsule collection with Banana Republic.
Scott’s designs are the epitome of elegance. She was able to combine upscale elegance with sex appeal and even a rockstar vibe. Nicole Kidman, Madonna, Amy Adams, Penelope Cruz and many more fashion forward celebrites are often seen wearing her designs.
Nicole Kidman wearing L’Wren Scott in 2006
Scott dated Rolling Stones’ Mick Jagger for the last 13 years. The rock icon was on tour (for which Scott designed the band’s costumes) in Australia at the time of the tragedy. “Shocked and devastated,” Jagger is returning to New York and has postponed the band’s upcoming performances.
Mick Jagger and L’Wren Scott
A flurry of speculation and gossip has unfolded since yesterday’s news—including unconfirmed reports of Mick Jagger dumping Scott, along with the designer’s alleged financial woes. Jagger reps vehemently denied any break up, but Scott’s business troubles have been confirmed. She canceled her London Fashion Week show unexpectedly and her company was millions in debt.
Scott leaves behind a grieving public, family, friends, and many fans of her work.
–Charlotte Bryant & Fiona Tedds
