Designer Alexander McQueen's Legacy Favors Charity

The bulk of Alexander McQueen's 16-million pound ($26 million) estate will go to his Sarabande charity, according to documents made public Tuesday. The renowned fashion designer killed himself in February 2010, following closely on his mother's death.

McQueen said in his will that he hoped Sarabande would support scholarships at the Central St. Martins College of Art and Design, which he attended.

Other beneficiaries named in his will include his three sisters and two brothers, each receiving 250,000 pounds. Two household staff members, McQueen's godson and all of his nieces and nephews were provided 50,000 pounds each.

Care for the British designer's dogs after his death has been covered by 50,000 pounds from the estate.

Finally, two animal charities, the London Buddhist Center and a health advocacy trust were given 100,000 pounds each.

When McQueen died in 2010, All Things Considered interviewed Washington Post fashion writer Robin Givhan, who said this about the designer:

"Much of what he did often made you scratch your head and ask, 'Is he for or against women?' " she tells NPR's Michele Norris. "You weren't quite sure if he was empowering them or if he was subjugating them."

This slideshow, produced at the time of his death, offers a look back at McQueen's work:

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1 of 11  — British fashion designer Alexander McQueen is surrounded by applauding models after a Paris show in 1997. The influential designer was found dead Thursday in his London home. He was 40 years old.

British fashion designer Alexander McQueen is surrounded by applauding models after a Paris show in 1997. The influential designer was found dead Thursday in his London home. He was 40 years old.

Remy de la Mauviniere / AP

2 of 11  — A model wears a feather headdress design by Alexander McQueen at a 1998 show in Paris. McQueen began his career at the age of 16 with an apprenticeship as a tailor on London's Savile Row.

A model wears a feather headdress design by Alexander McQueen at a 1998 show in Paris. McQueen began his career at the age of 16 with an apprenticeship as a tailor on London's Savile Row.

Michel Euler / AP

3 of 11  — McQueen's originality was not only limited to his textile creations. A model wears a pair of McQueen's "armadillo" shoes at the Paris Womenswear Fashion Week in June 2009.

McQueen's originality was not only limited to his textile creations. A model wears a pair of McQueen's "armadillo" shoes at the Paris Womenswear Fashion Week in June 2009.

/ Sipa Press via AP

4 of 11  — An employee adjusts the wings on a male model during Givenchy's 1997 spring/summer haute couture fashion collection by McQueen at a Paris show in January 1997.

An employee adjusts the wings on a male model during Givenchy's 1997 spring/summer haute couture fashion collection by McQueen at a Paris show in January 1997.

Remy de la Mauviniere / AP

5 of 11  — Models display McQueen's fall/winter 2008-09 ready-to-wear collection presented in Paris in February 2008.

Models display McQueen's fall/winter 2008-09 ready-to-wear collection presented in Paris in February 2008.

Jacques Brinon / AP

6 of 11  — McQueen was known by some in the design industry as the "enfant terrible" or "anarchist designer." A model wears one of McQueen's creations as part of his fall/winter 2009-10 ready-to-wear collection in Paris in March 2009.

McQueen was known by some in the design industry as the "enfant terrible" or "anarchist designer." A model wears one of McQueen's creations as part of his fall/winter 2009-10 ready-to-wear collection in Paris in March 2009.

Christophe Ena / AP

7 of 11  — In 2003 McQueen was awarded a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) by Queen Elizabeth II. He was also named British Designer of the Year four times.

In 2003 McQueen was awarded a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) by Queen Elizabeth II. He was also named British Designer of the Year four times.

Matthew Fearn / Press Association via AP Images

8 of 11  — A model wears a Chinese-style hairpiece designed by McQueen at a Paris show in October 2004.

A model wears a Chinese-style hairpiece designed by McQueen at a Paris show in October 2004.

Remy de la Mauviniere / AP

9 of 11  — Models walk the runway during McQueen's Pret a Porter show as part of the Paris Womenswear Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2010 in June 2009.

Models walk the runway during McQueen's Pret a Porter show as part of the Paris Womenswear Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2010 in June 2009.

/ Sipa Press via AP

10 of 11  — A model on the catwalk at McQueen's Black Fashion Show in March 2004. Though McQueen's designs were sometimes considered controversial and unconventional he was continually praised for his creativity.

A model on the catwalk at McQueen's Black Fashion Show in March 2004. Though McQueen's designs were sometimes considered controversial and unconventional he was continually praised for his creativity.

Jung Kim / Press Association via AP

11 of 11  — McQueen waves to an audience at his Pret a Porter show during the Paris Womenswear Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2010 in June 2009.

McQueen waves to an audience at his Pret a Porter show during the Paris Womenswear Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2010 in June 2009.

/ Sipa Press via AP