London fashion designer Richard Nicoll dies suddenly aged 39

London-based fashion designer Richard Nicoll died on Friday (21 October) aged just 39. The former Topshop designer was reportedly found unconscious by paramedics in his home in Sydney, Australia, from a supposed heart attack.

An ambulance was called to Nicoll's apartment in the Australian city's Kings Cross district in the early hours of Friday morning (21 October). He was taken to St Vincent's Hospital where he later died. Police are not treating his death as suspicious.

Tributes from high-profile acquaintances of Nicoll have flooded in. Former Vogue Australia editor-in-chief Kirstie Clements said: "I collaborated a lot with him. I remember going to see his first Cerruti show.

"I was seated next to his family and everybody was so excited. He was super-talented. I saw him recently, and he was really happy to be home and beginning a new chapter in his life. That's really sad."

"We are terrifically saddened by this news," said Australian Wool innovation chief executive officer Stuart McCullough. "He was a great contributor to the improvement of wool's reputation, both in Australia and abroad. We send our condolences to his family and friends."

Vogue Australia's current editor-in-chief also commented on Nicoll's death She said: "Richard was an extraordinarily talented designer and a wonderful, warm, generous human being. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this very difficult time, and at Vogue we will celebrate and remember his unique talents, always."

Spice Girl Emma Bunton said: "Such sad news about Richard Nicoll, I met him way back when he was at central saint martins, a beautiful soul. Thinking of his loved ones."

Singer Lily Allen said: "Really sad to hear about the passing of Richard Nicholl. Privileged to have known him and to have worn many of his beautiful creations."

Nicoll graduated from Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in 2002 with a MA in Womenswear, and his designs have been worn by a league of famous faces including Kylie Minogue, Kate Bosworth, Julianne Moore, Diane Kruger and more. His latest work was for Jack Wills, as their creative director as of spring 2015. He parted ways with the company in Autumn 2015.

Nicoll had put his own label on hold and spent the past year in Australia working on various projects.