L'Wren Scott dead: Fashion designer and Mick Jagger's girlfriend 'found hanged' in NYC

The Rolling Stones frontman is "shocked and devastated" by the news, his publicist has said

Jenn Selby
Monday 17 March 2014 17:35 GMT
L'Wren Scott with Mick Jagger
L'Wren Scott with Mick Jagger

L’Wren Scott, the high-end fashion designer, stylist to the stars and long-term partner of Sir Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones, was found dead in her Manhattan home on Monday morning. She was 49 years old and appeared to have committed suicide, officials said.

Ms Scott, who had remained in New York while Sir Mick was on tour in Australia with his band, had in recent years seen her dresses make the Oscars red carpet and the White House wardrobe of Michelle Obama.

Her body was found mid-morning in her flat in a luxury high-rise tower in the Chelsea district of Manhattan by an assistant. Reports suggested Ms Scott was found hanged, and had earlier had texted her assistant to come over.

Officials said there was no suggestion of foul play, although a final of cause of death was to be determined by the city’s medical examiner. There was no note found at the apartment.

A spokesman for Sir Mick, who had been linked to Ms Scott since 2001, said the singer was “completely shocked and devastated” by the news. An hour after the discovery of her body, a message was posted under her name on her official Twitter feed, suggesting that her suicide had come with no warning, at least to colleagues:

Raised by adoptive parents in Utah, Ms Scott stood at six foot, three inches tall. Soon after leaving high school she was spotted by the photographer Bruce Weber at a Calvin Klein shoot. At his suggestion, she travelled to Paris where she became a model for such names as David Bailey and Chanel. By the early 1990s she had moved to California. As a stylist, her early assignments included the advertising campaign for Elizabeth Taylor’s White Diamonds perfume.

A policeman stands guard outside designer L’Wren Scott’s home in New York

She emerged as a sought-after fashion designer to Hollywood royalty, contributing costumes to films including Eyes Wide Shut and Ocean’s Thirteen.

She also worked on a Martin Scorsese 2008 documentary about the Rolling Stones, when she was already many years into her relationship with Mr Jagger, who is 70.

Ms Scott came out with her first own-label collection in 2006, called “Little Black Dress”. After that, her creations were selected by several stars for Oscar nights including Amy Adams, Nicole Kidman and Penélope Cruz.

It was rumoured she had been picked to design the wedding dress for Angelina Jolie, expected soon to tie the knot with Brad Pitt. Other celebrities known to have worn her dresses have included the First Lady and Oprah Winfrey.

The Rolling Stones' Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood and Charlie Watts, arrived in Perth, Australia, early on Monday morning

She had recently also launched a more affordable line of women’s fashion with the Banana Republic chain of clothing shops. The only possible indication of professional trouble was the cancelling of her runway show for London’s Fashion Week, due to reported production delays.

Earlier on Monday, Mick Jagger and his bandmates had touched down before dawn in Perth, Australia, to kick of their “On Fire” tour of the country. He was seen walking on a local beach in the late summer sun just hours before the news broke of his partner’s death.

Among those paying early tribute was Bianca Jagger, the rock star’s former wife. On Twitter she posted: “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.”

Fellow fashion designer Marc Jacobs tweeted: “Rest in peace, L’W ren Scott. You’ll forever be missed.” Pop band Duran Duran tweeted: “Such sad news. Our condolences are with L’Wren’s family and friends.”

Additional reporting by Independent staff

Samaritans is available round-the-clock on 08457 90 90 90 or email jo@samaritans.org

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