McQueen's parting wish: take care of my dogs

The money will ensure the upkeep of his dogs, Minter and Juice (seen here in McQueen’s S/S ’99 show), for the rest of their lives.

McQueen left a further £50,000 from his estimated £16m fortune to each of his two housekeepers for their ‘long and faithful service’.

He also made £100,000 provisions for Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, the London Buddhist Centre, the Blue Cross animal centre in Burford, Oxfordshire; and the Terrence Higgins Trust, a charity that campaigns on HIV/AIDS issues. McQueen left £250,000 to each of his five siblings and £50,000 to his godson and each of his nieces and nephews.

The remainder of his estate he bequeathed to his Sarabande charity, which shares a name with his S/S ’07 collection. He suggested that the charity consider funding grants for students at Central Saint Martins, his alma mater.

It’s a bittersweet bequest to CSM from an alumnus who recognised the significance of the school to his own development.

‘The Blue Cross relies on donations to help animals in need so we are thrilled to have been chosen to receive such a generous legacy from Alexander McQueen,’ Blue Cross Chief Executive Kim Hamilton said in a statement.

‘It is a touching tribute to his obvious love for his dogs and his legacy will allow us to help many thousands more sick and homeless animals across the UK.’