© Rex

RICHARD NICOLL has died in Sydney aged 39. The fashion designer died from a heart attack.

London-born Nicoll, who last year put his eponymous label on hold and returned to Australia where he was raised, showed his collections on the London Fashion Week schedule for nearly a decade, adopting the capital as his home after he graduated from Central Saint Martins with an MA in womenswear in 2002.

The designer's talents stretched beyond his own-name brand, including a creative director stint at Cerruti, in addition to freelance design for Marc Jacobs and Louis Vuitton and a recent role at Jack Wills. A highly regarded and loved member of the fashion industry, at the time of his death he was working on a number of projects, including one with musician Jess Kent, and was preparing to take up a creative director role at Adidas in January.

© Alastair Nicol

“It is with great sadness that we confirm that Richard Nicoll passed away unexpectedly this morning in Australia from a heart attack," his family said in a statement today. "Richard was one of the quiet stars of fashion. He was a true gentleman, a wonderful friend and a much loved son. Anyone that had the privilege of knowing him knew that he had a heart of gold, an innate kindness and a modesty and humility that sometimes didn’t allow him to acknowledge his own exceptional creative talent. He loved his life in Australia. He had recently confirmed a new role at Adidas and a collaboration with Woolmark both of which he was excited about. We will miss his handsome face, his sense of humour and his love.”