L'Wren Scott has been found dead after hanging herself on a doorknob in her Manhattan apartment on Monday morning.
Scott was said to be distraught and
‘embarrassed’ over her failing business, as she owed nearly $6million to
creditors, MailOnline can reveal.
A
spokesman for Mick Jagger said the singer, who is in Australia as part
of the Rolling Stones tour, was 'completely shocked and devastated'
following the news of her death.
When asked if they were still in a relationship at the time of her death, he replied ‘of course’.
The designer, 49, was found by her assistant, hanged
on a doorknob by a scarf of her own design by her assistant. There was
no immediate suspicion of foul play though the Medical Examiner has not
yet released the formal report.
Tragic: L'Wren Scott, who has been romantically
linked to Mick Jagger since 2001, was found dead in her Manhattan
apartment on Monday morning
A spokeswoman for New York City
Police Department said: 'A 49-year-old female was found this morning at
10.05am at 200 11th Avenue. She was unconscious.'
'She
was pronounced dead on arrival by the emergency medical services. The
investigation is ongoing. We are awaiting medical examiners to determine
the cause of death.The
coroner left the building with her body at 2.45pm on Monday. Police were
also seen taking her computer out of the building, likely for further
investigation.
Her
spokesperson confirmed the 'tragic death' without giving any further
details about the motivations or whether or not she had left a note
behind for loved one: 'At this devastating time for Ms Scott’s family
and friends we request that their privacy be respected.'
The
shocking suicide comes after the striking stylist was forced to cancel
her London Fashion Week show at the last minute in January, which she
blamed on fabrics that arrived too late for samples to be sewn in time
for the event.
And now
we can reveal that the 6ft 3ins tall brunette - who had always refused
financial help from Mick Jagger - was hemorraging cash.
The
latest accounts for her business, filed in the UK in October 2013, show
that the company, LS Fashion LTD, had a deficit of $5,899,548
(4,237,164 Euros), with the designer owing creditors $7.641 million
(euros 5,488,125)
Tragic: Officials have said there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding Scott's death
Grim discovery: The designer was reportedly found hanged inside her eight floor apartment in Manhattan by her assistant
Investigation: Police say that there are no
suspicious circumstances surrounding the death of L'Wren Scott, who was
found hanged in her apartment
However, in recent years, her
company’s debts had doubled year-on-year - a downward spiral that showed
no sign of stopping. In 2009, the debt stood at $2,120,015.67, and by
2010 it had grown to $3,063,160.87
The
issues surrounding her company, which was incorporated in July 2006,
are the real reason she called off her show, a source said, as she could
not even afford to put on the fashion show.
Records show that Scott’s apartment was bought for $5.6million in 2010
by a holding company called Scottland Management. A 2012 mortgage for
$1.25million was paid off last year.
In
October last year, it appeared as though L’Wren was trying to stem the
financial chaos after she appointed her adopted brother, Randall Ivan
Bambrough – who still lives in her homestate of Utah - as a director to
her company.
Just weeks
before she axed her London show, L’Wren – who usually showed at New
York Fashion Week - had happily posted pictures of her holiday vacation
at Jagger’s home on the island of Mustique.
Scene: Scott's luxury Chelsea
building features a garage elevator that allows owners to drive their
car directly up to their apartment
For examination: Police do not suspect foul play
but the official cause of death will come after the medical examiner
issues their report
Looking for clues: A detective brings part of
Scott's computer from her apartment, undoubtedly as part of the
investigation into what caused her to take her own life
Despite
being rock royalty, the Jaggers seemingly enjoyed a surprisingly normal
middle class Christmas. They enjoy it with family and two dogs: Star
and Guinness.
L’Wren
had collaborated with Banana Republic for her own spin-off collection
and was feted at a star-studded bash at Chateau Marmont in West
Hollywood in November, attended by stars including Mad Men Christiana
Hendricks, who gushed: ‘I just love everything L’Wren does,” gushed
Christina Hendricks. “It’s very strong, it’s incredibly flattering,
ladylike and always very tasteful.’
A
designer can get paid anything from $20,000 to a million for a
collaboration with another label or major retailer. A fashion source
told MailOnline that for her Banana Republic collection, Scott was
probably paid something in the region of $250,000.
The space surrounding Scott’s designs at Barneys flagship in Manhattan was deserted three hours after news of her death broke.
While
L’Wren Scott lists three New York stockists on her website – Barneys
New York, Jeffrey, and Saks Fifth Avenue – only Barneys still carries
the line.
Multiple
store associates for both Jeffrey and Saks told MailOnline that the
retailers no longer carry Ms Scott’s designs. They were unable to shed
light on when her label had been dropped from their racks.
Upon
visiting Barneys this afternoon, MailOnline observed how the area
surrounding Ms Scott’s garments on the retailer’s second floor was
completely empty.
Barneys
currently has three racks full of stock from Ms Scott’s collections –
including her signature nipped-waist column dresses and her
heavily-embellished cardigans.
A
fashion source said: '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.
Empty: The area surrounding Ms Scott's display
at Barney's flagship store in midtown Manhattan was completely empty
just three hours after her death
Pricey: Her off-the-rack dresses sold for between $1,499 and $2,990
'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 out goings. 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
fashion source said: '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.
'There
was a delight to her that is hard to imagine extinguished. She didn't
reveal another side to me but of course... we are all complex as human
beings and I wouldn't have claimed to be privy to that other part of
late'
-Sarah Jessica Parker
'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 out goings. 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 source said L’Wren was ‘embarrassed’ by her financial failures.
She was found hanged to death in her
apartment on the eighth floor of a luxury building in Chelsea where
Nicole Kidman- one of her most famous fans- also has a flat. The
building features a garage elevator which allows residents to drive
their cars up to the floor of their apartment.
Police
sources say that she texted her assistant at 8.30am saying 'come by',
and less than two hours later that individual was the one who found her
body, according to The New York Post.
Statuesque: The 6-foot-3-inch former stylist
launched an eponymous line of her own in 2006 (pictured left in 2012 and
right in 2010)
Timing: These updates on her official Twitter
feed came an hour after her body was found by an assistant, suggesting
that it was either an automated feed or posted by another member of her
fashion team
There was little to cause suspicion
ahead of the shattering discovery, as her official Twitter account was
updated at 11am- an hour after her body was reportedly found.
Some close friends and former clients of Scott's have spoken out about their surprise at her sudden death.
'I
used to call her the dominatrix of styling. She would come with just
three dresses and say, "You are not wearing these two, you are just
wearing that one." She had that discipline and that eye. She was
otherworldly, like 'Mad Men' before it was chic,' stylist Phillip Bloch
told WWD.
'Ironically,
last week I said to three different people, "I wish I had her life,
look at her life. She's always somewhere fabulous and fancy." You think,
here's someone who has it all. You just never know. I'm very saddened.'
Sarah Jessica Parker said that Scott 'was one who seemed to come naturally to joy'.
'She
was a joyous participant, a planner. She really enjoyed company and
occasions. There was a delight to her that is hard to imagine
extinguished,' Parker told the site.
'She
didn't reveal another side to me but of course... we are all complex as
human beings and I wouldn't have claimed to be privy to that other part
of late.
'She had
discipline, skill and talent and the recognition was an enormous source
of pride for her because she waited so long and worked so diligently (on
her career).'
The Mormon-raised designer has been romantically linked to the Rolling Stones frontman since 2001.
Today: This picture of Mick Jagger was taken in
Perth, Australia just hours before the body of his girlfriend L'Wren
Scott was found dead inside her Manhattan home after an apparent suicide
attempt on Monday
Business as usual: The Rolling Stones' Mick
Jagger, Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood and Charlie Watts, arrived in Perth,
Australia, early on Monday morning - hours before the discovery of lead
singer Mick Jagger's girlfriend L'Wren Scott's body in her Manhattan
apartment
In Australia: The Stones first concert down
under was due to begin on Wednesday - it is unlikely now if Mick Jagger
will be able to perform the show
Tired but happy: The band members looked exhausted but happy to be back in Australia for the first time since 2006
AN OUTPOURING OF SUPPORT: CELEBRITIES PAY THEIR CONDOLENCES
Bianca Jagger:
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
Sarah Jessica Parker: She was a joyous participant, a planner.
She really enjoyed company and occasions. There was a delight to her
that is hard to imagine extinguished
Olivia Munn:
'Shocked and saddened by the passing of @lwrenscott ... she was an
amazing soul, talented artist and an unbelievably giving friend. RIP'
Bette Midler:
'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.'
Bryan Adams:
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
Madonna: This is a horrible and tragic loss. I'm so upset. I loved L'Wrens work and she was always so generous with me.
Jessica Paster,
stylist: She was awesome. She was a nice women and she always reached
out; it's just so sad. We all started at the same time. She was more
than just a stylist — she was a designer, she had vision.
Emmy Rossum: ‘So sad to hear of the death of L'Wren Scott. What a beautiful woman and an incredible designer.’
Duran Duran: 'Such sad news. Our condolences are with L’Wren’s family and friends.'
Marc Jacobs: 'Rest in peace, L'Wren Scott. You'll forever be missed.'
Phillip Bloch,
stylist: She had that discipline and that eye. She was otherworldly,
like 'Mad Men' before it was chic. She had that Fifties elegance to her.
Ironically, last week I said to three different people, "I wish I had
her life, look at her life. She's always somewhere fabulous and fancy."
You think, here's someone who has it all. You just never know. I'm very
saddened.
Olivia Wilde: 'L'Wren Scott was brilliant, elegant, kind, and generous. S***. My heart goes out to her loved ones. What a tragedy.'
Alyssa Milano: 'Rest in Peace, beautiful L'Wren Scott,'
Selma Blair: 'You were a brilliant original. And loved. And will be forever missed. Dearest L'Wren Scott.'
Hilary Alexander: 'Tragic news of L'Wren Scott's suicide. RIP a much loved designer and fashion icon'
Piers Morgan: 'Awful breaking news about L'Wren Scott, Mick Jagger's girlfriend'
Debi Mazar:
'R.I.P my dear L'Wren Scott. Im sick to hear this news.Amazing
woman.Why why!!?? R.I.P L'Wren Scott.Wonderful woman,inspired.She will
be greatly missed.Such a talent.So sad she has left us so soon'
Louise Roe: 'Such a tragic loss of an inspiring woman and incredible fashion talent, RIP L'Wren Scott.'
Daphne Guinness:
L’Wren was a great, true friend and human being, a remarkable and
gifted talent and it saddens me deeply to know that I won’t see her
again. A devastating loss for everyone who knew her and my thoughts are
with her family and loved ones at this time
Bo Derek: RIP L'Wren Scott and thank you for making me feel beautiful. @lwrenscott #L'WrenScott'
Katie Couric: So sad to hear
Nina Garcia: Saddened over the loss of the very talented, generous and always gracious L'Wren Scott. You will be missed
Mindy Kaling: Such terrible news about L'Wren Scott. She was an amazing designer.
Stephen Jones:
It was with great sadness today that I learnt the death of my dear
friend L’Wren, whom I have known since we first worked together at
Thierry Mugler in Paris in the mid 1980’s....Recently we have had
tremendous fun, each season collaborating on her own collections,
exploring another fashion adventure be it Tuxedo Terrace, Tea-Time or my
personal favorite, Yorkshire Pudding.
Huimble beginnings: Scott (seen here in 2013
with musician Brian Adams) was the adoptive daughter of Mormon parents
and grew up in Utah
The
couple met on the set of a photo shoot in 2001 when she was working as
the stylist on call. They made for an unlikely pairing: as well as being
23 years Mick’s junior, at 6ft 3in, she stands head and shoulders above
her 5ft 8in lover.
'L'Wren
is very independent and would not take any nonsense from anyone no
matter how famous they were,' her adopted mother Lula Bambrough told a
newspaper in 2003.
'She
usually knows what she wants and she gets it. It doesn't surprise me at
all that she's tamed Mick. She is very much her own woman and it would
be my guess that is why this Mick Jagger likes her.'
Scott
split her time between London, where she has a design studio in
Chelsea, and New York. She and Mr Jagger also own an apartment on
Paris’s Left Bank that once featured in Vogue.
She ranked among The Hollywood
Reporter’s 25 Most Powerful Stylists in 2011, 2012 and 2013, but failed
to make the list this year.
Longtime love: Scott and Mick Jagger (pictured
here with his daughters Jade and Georgia May) had been in a relationship
for 10 years
Famous friends: Scott had a loyal client base in
Hollywood, with Sarah Jessica Parker as one of her biggest fans
(right). Ellen Barkin, pictured with Scott in 2002 (left), said all of
her clothes were made by the designer
Her business was going through major
changes in recent months as well. After showing her collections in New
York Fashion Week in recent years, she decided to call that off and show
in London instead, but that subsequently cancelled citing delays in
production.
Fans
including Oprah Winfrey, Sarah Jessica Parker and Michelle Obama. She
had even been tipped to design Angelina Jolie’s wedding dress.
Celebrities wax lyrical about her creations.
Nicole
Kidman told the Telegraph in 2011 that '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.'
And
Christina Hendricks told the same paper: 'L'Wren's clothes make you
feel like a sexy pin-up, a sophisticated lady and a rockstar all at
once. She designs for how women want to look and for what men want to
look at.'
Scott first
broke into the fashion industry as a model and then a stylist before
launching an eponymous line in 2006 that was a major hit with
celebrities.
She continued to widen her brand and at
the end of last year, she launched a collaboration with Banana Republic,
starring alongside models in the ads.
Front row friends: L'Wren was seated next to Victoria Beckham at the Chanel 2006 Summer show in Paris
L’Wren Scott was adopted and raised in Roy, Utah by her Mormon parents and graduated high school in 1985.
She
regularly cited her traditional upbringing- her father worked in
insurance and her mother at a local bank- as the root of her hard work
ethic.
'I had to learn to sew when I was growing up, because nothing else fitted me,' she told The Telegraph in a 2011 interview.
‘I
used to spend hours at the local store, leafing through big books of
Vogue and Butterick patterns, and then order one of them, and wait for
it to arrive, so that by the time it was delivered I was really
excited.'
She also
adjusted old dresses show found in local thrifts stores. She told the
paper: ‘I remember finding a black silk 1950s dress, taking it home and
unpicking the waistband and the seams, then sewing it together again, so
that it would fit me.'
Early days: Seen in 2002 in one of the first
pictures together, Scott met Jagger in 2001 when she was working as a
stylist on a photo shoot that featured the rock star
Friendly exes: Jagger and Scott posed for a photo with his ex wife Bianca at a Serpentine Gallery function in June
Support: Mick Jagger's ex wife Bianca Jagger tweeted her condolences on Monday
Her
name was originally Luann Bambrough until she changed it to the more
exotic 'L'Wren' when she launched her modelling career at age 17.
She
stood at 6ft3in tall and caught the eye of celebrity photographer Bruce
Weber who advised that she move to Paris to pursue a career as a model
where she went on to work for Thierry Mugler and Chanel.
Then
in the 1990s she moved to California and established herself as a
stylist which led her to work closely with photographer Herb Ritts and
Karl Lagerfeld. She has styled many celebrities including Madonna, Julia
Roberts and Tom Hanks.
She launched her first designer collection, named Little Black Dress, in 2006.
It achieved huge success –
particularly her figure-hugging ‘Headmistress’ dress - with celebrity
fans including Sarah Jessica Parker and Michelle Obama.
L’Wren
also worked styling costumes on film sets including Ocean’s Thirteen,
Eyes Wide Shut and Shine a Light, a Martin Scorsese documentary about
the Rolling Stones.
Her designs are said to be so flattering that she once told the Sunday Times that wearers have no need for Spanx.
It is perhaps for this reason that
her creations have become beloved by curvy and svelte stars alike– and
both Penelope Cruz and Amy Adams wore L’Wren Scott gowns when they
attended the 2011 Academy Awards as new mothers .
Her wares: Scott walks after her Fall 2012 show
in New York Fashion week, but she had cancelled her recent show in
London due to massive debts though at the time she blamed it on delayed
fabrics
Red headed fans: Nicole Kidman,
Christina Hendricks and Amy Adams were among her most famous clients
(seen wearing her clothes in 2013, 2010, and 2011 respectively)
Height of fame: Kidman (seen together at the
Grammys in 2011), who had an apartment in the same building where
Scott's body was found, spoke about how the designer's pieces flattered
women in the best way
Ellen
Barkin is such a fan of the designer that she has previously said that
everything in her closet that is not vintage was created by Scott.
She explained that while working as a
stylist to the stars, she learned that not everything is as it seems
when dealing with celebrities.
'You'll
see the most perfect person and you are like, God, she's, like,
perfect. And then she'll tell you everything that's not perfect.
Everyone has their own special set of problems--in their own minds,' she
told Harper's Bazaar in 2011.
In
2010 she designed a make-up collection with Lancome that featured her
signature rich burgundy lipstick, and in 2011 she launched a handbag
named the ‘Lula’ after her mother, who is deceased.
Model looks: The American model and fashion
designer was famed for her 6ft 3in frame and traveled to Paris to work
for Thierry Mugler and Chanel and has posed for photographer David
Bailey
Back in time: One of her most famous modeling
jobs was her campaign for Pretty Polly tights, shot by David Bailey,
which highlights her 42-inch legs
Star favorite: Scott's designs were sought after by Hollywood's elite
The
designer had been especially busy of late too. At the end of last year,
she designed a holiday collection for Banana Republic – but last month
she shocked the fashion set when she cancelled her London Fashion Week
show at short notice. The designer blamed production delays in key show
and couture pieces, according to WWD.
Explaining her sexy aesthetic, she told Harper’s Bazaar that she designs with men in mind.
'Guys understand a waistline. They understand a silhouette. I dress for men. I have to feel good, you know what I mean?'
A FASHIONABLE LIFE FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS: HOW LUANN BAMBROUGH BECAME THE DESIGNER NAMED 'L'WREN'
L’Wren
Scott grew up as plain Luann Bambrough in the one-horse town of Roy,
Utah, where she was raised by her Mormon parents Lula and Ivan.
Glamor: The once-private Scott became a more
familiar fixture on the red carpet after going public with her
relationship with Jagger (pictured together in 2005)
The religious couple had adopted L’Wren
as a baby, though not much detail is known of the circumstances,
although she frequently credited her mother and father for instilling
her with a strict work ethic.
Ivan
served in the US Navy during WWII vet before returning to settle in Roy
where he worked as account executive for the insurance company Blue
Cross and Blue Shield for 35 years until his death in 2002. He and Lula,
a bank clerk who died in 2008, were very active members of The Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and religion was a large part of
L’Wren’s upbringing alongside her brother Randy and sister, Jan. Her
father even served as a High Priest and Bishop for the church.
L’Wren
stood out in the small town after shooting up to the height of 6ft by
the age of 12. She eventually grew to 6ft3 inches with 42 inch legs,
raven hair and porcelain skin.
Her
glamor did not go unnoticed and after graduating high school in 1985
aged 17, she was spotted by celebrity photographer Bruce Weber who
convinced her to move to Paris to start a career as a fashion model. It
was then that she changed her name to L’Wren Scott.
She was reportedly the longest-legged
lady that designers had ever seen quickly landed a succession of
high-profile modeling gigs—for the likes of Chanel and Thierry Mugler.
Low-key life: After her adoption, Scott was raised in this Roy, Utah house by Mormon parents who have since died
Designer L'Wren Scott pictured with her family
in 2000. From left to right, L'Wren, brother Randy, mom Lula, dad Ivan
and sister Jan
In 1994, tiring of Paris, Scott reinvented herself again, moving to Los Angeles to head up PR for Prada.
It was then she began work as a
celebrity stylist, working a great deal with celebrity photographer Herb
Ritts. She soon became the go to dresser for stars including Nicole
Kidman, Sarah Jessica Parker, Ellen Barkin and Julianne Moore.
In 2001 she began dating Rolling
Stones singer Mick Jagger after meeting at a photo-shoot in Paris where
she had been hired as a stylist.
They made for an unusual coupling, as she stood head and shoulders above his 5ft8inch frame and was 23 years his junior.
Close: Scott, seen in her teen years with her mother, named her handbag line Lula after her mom
Family: L'Wren's brother Randall, known as Randy
lives and works in Utah, not far from where they were raised, while
their sister Jan (right) lives in their mother's old home
In
2006, Scott finally decided to launch (with Jagger's help) her own line
of clothing and has since launched many collections that have won the
praise of the A-List. Sarah Jessica Parker once said: 'I think L'Wren
has an extraordinary ability to make dresses that genuinely flatter a
woman. She makes an unbelievably contemporary dress in a remarkably
old-fashioned way for all sorts of women and body types.'
She also designed lines for Barney’s in New York and Banana Republic.
Though
she based her showroom in Paris, Scott spent her time shuttling between
the London home she shared with Jagger and her apartment in New York
where she was found dead by her assistant on the morning of March 17.
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