When a legend is lost, it doesn’t take long for the tributes to start pouring in. And if you are a fashion lover like myself you take to the stores, to purchase a final iconic piece produced by the master himself.

I’ll admit that I am one of the shoppers who caused sales to sky rocket on Alexander McQueen’s skull scarves after news of his untimely passing broke. A longtime fan of Lee’s designs, I’ve followed his career for many years and always admired the unique approach he took to fashion design. I am kicking myself in the ass that I didn’t purchase a pair of his booties I eyed while in London this past November (blame it on the exchange rate), but after I received word of his suicide my mind quickly raced to shopping and how to quickly get my hands on a piece of the iconic designers legacy.

Kylie Minogue wearing a McQueen scarf

Over the weekend I hit a few of my favorite upscale designer resale shops in NYC, which specialize in gently / never worn high-end fashion at reasonable prices. I asked if they had any McQueen in stock and confirmed what I already assumed: anything by Alexander McQueen always flew off the shelves and since his death the items are gone before they even hit the sales floors.

Naomi Campbell wearing a McQueen scarf in front of the designer's NYC store

At the McQueen store in the Meatpacking District passersby left flowers and notes in a makeshift memorial out front. Inside the mood was somber, but festive. The music was pumping and the staff seemed ready to celebrate the life of such a dynamic force.

I purchased a white pashmina scarf with black skulls ($395) that I have worn ever sense, my own way of paying tribute to a designer I adored. It turns out I wasn’t alone.  Barneys reportedly sold over 500 McQueen scarves in one day and worldwide the iconic skull-print scarf have been “flying off the shelves” since news of his death broke.

Ashlee Simpson-Wentz

Kim Kardashian

Fans of the designer – who was found dead in his London home after committing suicide just days after the death of his beloved mother – are desperate to get hold of his designs especially the silk scarf, which has been worn by the likes of Kate Moss, Liv Tyler, Nicole Richie, Ashlee Simpson-Wentz, Kylie Minogue, Naomi Campbell, Kim Kardashian, Lindsay Lohan, and many more.

“The scarf was such an iconic piece of his design,” said a salesperson as they tried to keep up with the demand for Alexander McQueen merchandise. Anne Pitcher, buying and merchandising director at Selfridges in London, added: “We fully expect customers to want to buy something by him – anything – to keep as a memento, but also as a genuine tribute to his craft and spirit.”

Pop superstar Kylie Minogue stepped out in London on Friday wearing an iconic skull print Alexander McQueen scarf as a tribute to the designer. The singer, who was heading to the studio to work on her latest album, told her Twitter followers after the news of his suicide broke: ‘I will wear my Alexander McQueen scarf today…RIP Lee.’

Naomi Campbell also wore her version of the scarf in tribute while visiting the NYC boutique. The supermodel later paid tribute to her dear friend with a moment of silence during the finale of the Fashion for Relief – Haiti benefit during NY Fashion Week.

Certainly the most affordable McQueen items the chiffon skull print scarves, available in a range of colors such as black / white and blue / white, retail for $260 while the wool-blend skull print scarf retails for $395.

Sarah Jessica Parker, Sandra Bullock, and Drew Barrymore all wearing Alexander McQueen

According to Draper’s, “sales of iconic Alexander McQueen pieces soared 1,400% at the end of last week.” The biggest sellers were the McQueen skull scarf and men’s tees, no doubt thanks to the fact that each item is one of the most affordable McQueen pieces one can buy. But, that’s not to say tailored jackets and garments of all stripes aren’t selling in record numbers as well.

After spotting a mannequin wearing the famous 12-inch Armadillo bootie at the McQueen store, the jewel of his Spring 2010 collection, I asked a salesperson if they planned to stock the sky-high shoe. She politely told me that they are only available by special request and every single one has already been accounted for. Damn!

Dresses from McQueen's Spring 2010 collection