London , England ( CNN ) -- The fashion world was Friday mourning the death of celebrated British designer Alexander McQueen as questions were raised over the future of his multi-million dollar luxury clothing brand . A day after McQueen was found dead in his London home , the 40-year-old 's flagship store in the city was closed , while flowers were laid in honor and a flag was flown at half mast over the shuttered doorway . A manager at the Alexander McQueen store in New York , where similar memorial scenes of flowers and candles were reported , said the shop would also be closed in light of the designer 's death . McQueen 's New York fans show support . Emerging from a modest background as the son of an east London taxi driver to become a household name , McQueen 's success has been hailed as a testament to his talent , but analysts say there are doubts his name will endure . Design brands have previously outlived their founders , with notable examples being the success of Frenchman Yves Saint Laurent 's empire despite his death in 2008 , and the survival of Gianni Versace 's label following his 1997 murder . Industry insiders say McQueen 's hands-on involvement in his business as the creative driving force behind the label 's bold and eccentric output will be difficult to sustain without the designer at the helm . Gucci Group , which acquired a 51 percent stake in the McQueen brand in 2001 , has yet to make a statement on the future of the label and its 11 stores worldwide which , according to the Financial Times , was not profitable until 2007 . The fashion house has not disclosed current figures for the brand which , the Times of London newspaper reported Gucci paid £13.6 million ( $ 21.2 million ) for its stake in . Tim Gadoffre , CEO of luxury brand analyst Marival & Company , said McQueen 's death represented a `` disaster '' for the brand and said there would be substantial doubts over the label 's ability to survive its visionary founder 's death . Says Gadoffre , despite huge celebrity success , the McQueen brand had only just been consolidated as a going concern and the next decade would have been crucial in converting the designer 's name into a long-term franchise . `` It is too early to tell , but I 'm not convinced it is possible to project the business any further without him , '' he told CNN . Nevertheless , retailers were reporting a sharp rise in sales of McQueen items in the immediate wake of his death . A spokeswoman for the upscale Liberty of London department store told CNN it had seen a 14-fold increase in McQueen brand sales , with top sellers including his signature skull print scarf and main line collection . McQueen 's death reportedly occurred on the eve of the funeral of his mother , Joyce , with whom he was said to have a very close relationship . Tributes have poured in for McQueen , with many in the fashion and film industry hailing the `` enfant terrible '' for his diverse clothing creations and for dressing stars such as Sarah Jessica Parker and Nicole Kidman . `` His brilliant imagination knew no bounds as he conjured up collection after collection of extraordinary designs , '' said British Vogue Editor Alexandra Shulman , adding that his work `` influenced a whole generation of designers . '' `` His death is the hugest loss to anyone who knew him and for very many who did n't , '' she said in a statement on the magazine 's Web site . `` We are deeply shocked and saddened at the news of Alexander McQueen 's untimely death , '' said a statement on the London Fashion Week Web site . `` He was a unique talent and one of the world 's greatest designers . Our thoughts are with his friends and family at this sad time . '' Although McQueen was not showing a collection at the London Fashion Week , he was to unveil his ready-to-wear collection at the Paris fashion shows in March . His 2010 spring/summer collection featured alien-inspired makeup and prints , according to Vogue , and `` was lauded as his best by the fashion press . '' Dresses in that ready-to-wear line had exaggerated tiny waists and rounded hips , and models on the catwalk wore high club-like boots with them . Model Naomi Campbell said she was `` truly devastated '' by McQueen 's death . `` His talent had no boundaries and he was an inspiration to everyone who worked with him and knew him , '' she said in a statement released by her publicist . Designer Carolina Herrera called McQueen `` one of a -kind '' and said in a statement that he was `` one of the most talented designers of his generation . This is a big loss for the world . '' The designer was born as Lee Alexander McQueen in 1970 in London 's East End , the son of a taxi driver . He left school with few qualifications , but later studied fashion at London 's prestigious St. Martin 's College and worked on the famous Savile Row street of tailors at a company that made suits for Prince Charles . One anecdote that helped cement his bad-boy image claimed that he had once embroidered a suit for the Prince of Wales with a profanity sewn into the lining . His clothing line was purchased in 1991 by stylist Isabella Blow , who became a close friend . She committed suicide in 2007 , five years after his label was brought into the Gucci Group .
NEW : Fate of designer 's fashion is uncertain after designer 's death . McQueen , 34 , found dead at his home on Thursday . McQueen had reputation for cruelty , earning him title ` ` enfant terrible ''