London Fashion Week opened in a sombre mood this morning as British Fashion Council chairman Harold Tillman led a minute’s silence in tribute to the designer Alexander McQueen.

McQueen, known by his real first name of Lee, started his career in the capital and was one of the city’s most feted fashion exports, was found hanged at his London home last week.

Hours before Fashion Week opened a further tribute to the British designer came from supermodel Kate Moss, who took to the catwalk wearing one of McQueen's designs for the Fashion For Relief Haiti charity event.

As the dress was auctioned Moss, who was a bridesmaid at the designer's 2000 Ibiza wedding to filmmaker George Forsyth, wept. The dress was bought by Arcadia boss Sir Phillip Green for £100,000.

Opening the six-day London fashion event, Mr Tillman said: “His impact on London and this international fashion industry has been extraordinary. And he will be sorely missed. I know that we will all remember his incredible achievements and what he did for fashion here in London.”

“He proved that this industry and this city is one of opportunity, he left school with one O-Level and, with a good mix of determination, hard work and genius, he became and will remain one of London’s leading lights.

“He has inspired so many to follow and establish their own collection and has influenced many designers. To ensure London, his home city, continues to grow as a global fashion centre will be a fitting tribute to this brilliant man.”

Prime Minister's wife Sarah Brown, who has won praise for her support of British designers and the London fashion scene, echoed his words, saying: “I have no doubt this will be a creative and inspiring London Fashion Week and also a reflective time with the passing of Lee McQueen.”

McQueen had not shown a collection in London since 2001, preferring instead to exhibit in New York and then Paris, but this week organisers said they would pay a “simple and respectful” tribute in keeping with the McQueen family’s wishes.

Designers, buyers, stylists and journalists attending London Fashion Week will have the opportunity to pin messages of condolence on a board at main venue Somerset House, while at the On|Off event at Victoria House they will be able to view images from his collections on forty iPod touches attached to a wall. Elsewhere, luxury department store Liberty has dressed a tribute window with a giant Union Jack, a bright blue dress and the words “For McQueen and country”.

It is thought the final collection created by the designer will be shown in private to invited guests in Paris next month. Yesterday, PPR, the French luxury group with a controlling stake in the designer’s companies, said that it planned to build on the McQueen brand. President François-Henri Pinault said: “The Alexander McQueen trademark will live on. This would be the best tribute that we could offer to him.”

London Fashion Week runs until February 24 and will see designers Vivienne Westwood, Matthew Williamson, Christopher Kane and Aquascutum show collections. British brand Burberry will also show its collection in London, returning for a second time to the capital after eight years in Milan.

This year, those unable to get tickets for the event will not miss out altogether. Burberry, alongside a host of other British designers will live-stream their shows over the internet. For the first time, the British Fashion Council has put together a live schedule so web users can tune in to events as they happen.