Legendary British fashion tutor Louise Wilson dies

LONDON, United Kingdom - Louise Wilson, the British fashion professor who influenced designers including the late Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney and Phoebe Philo, has died at the age of 52, her college said Saturday.

Since 1992 Wilson had been MA Fashion course director at London's prestigious Central Saint Martins (CSM) college, where John Galliano and Christopher Kane also studied.

Giving her an award in 2012, the British Fashion Council said the Scot was "one of the foremost educators of her generation, whose graduates populate the fashion houses of the world".

In a statement on Saturday, Central Saint Martins said it was "devastated" at her death and offered its condolences to her partner Timmi and son TJ.

Vogue said Wilson was thought to have died in her sleep on Friday night while visiting her sister in Scotland.

Wilson suffered from breast cancer in the past, but reportedly worked all the way through her treatment.

McCartney, who graduated from Central Saint Martins in 1995, paid tribute to "an inspiration and force in fashion".

"I send my deep sympathy to your family. No one will ever replace you because you were a true one off. Louise we will all miss you r.i.p xx stella," she wrote on Twitter.