Louise Wilson: Central Saint Martins professor dies aged 52

The legendary tutor died in her sleep last night

Legendary fashion professor Louise Wilson has died. She is credited with having launched the careers of John Galliano, Alexander McQueen and Christopher Kane among others (Rex)

Louise Wilson, the legendary Central Saint Martins professor, died in her sleep last night, aged 52. She was visiting her sister in Scotland at the time of death.

She is known for having sculpted the careers of Alexander McQueen, Christopher Kane and Stella McCartney to name but a few.

One of fashion's most influential figures, she was the longstanding director of the college's MA fashion degree and had a reputation for pushing her students to their creative limits and producing some of British fashion's most well known names, including Jonathan Saunders, Roksanda Ilincic and Mary Katrantzou. Her direct, formidable teaching style was renowned throughout the industry.

In 2008, she received an OBE for her services to fashion and to education.

Christopher Kane is just one of the designers Louise Wilson taught (Rex Features)

She is survived by her long term partner and their teenage son, TJ.

“Louise Wilson played a remarkable role in making the British scene fashion as successful and relevant as it is today,” Alexandra Shulman told Vogue.co.uk. “Her teaching and influence made a mark on so many of our leading designers. I will miss her outspoken views and her clever and often very funny observations.”