Sibling co-founder Joe Bates dies

Joe Bates, the joint creative director of playful London Fashion Week brand Sibling, has died. The designer, who helmed the knitwear label alongside Cozette McCreery and Sid Bryan, passed away earlier this month after a long battle with cancer.

The news was reported by Love magazine via Instagram, who left a touching tribute next to a photograph of the designer: "RIP our gorgeous and beloved friend Joe Bates of Sibling. We will miss his sharp wit and talent hugely, his legacy will continue through the Sibling label.”

The designer, who also served as head of design at Jaeger from 2010 to 2012, co-founded the quirky ready-to-wear label in May 2008. The label has become one of the most look-forward-to shows on the London Fashion Week and London Collections: Men schedule for its humorous, rebellious take on knitwear.

Bates's last appearance on the catwalk was at the end of the recent spring/summer 2016 menswear show at London Collections: Men, where he took his bow alongside his fellow designers and the models from the show.

Tributes have been pouring in for the designer including one from British Fashion Council CEO, Caroline Rush who said: “Joe Bates was a bright, funny and brilliant person. He had a huge heart and so much talent. It is incredibly sad that someone with so much to give the world is gone. Deep sympathies go to Sid, Cozette, his friends and family.”

While Fashion East co-founder and designer Lulu Kennedy, said: “RIP the magnificent Joe Bates. A true gentleman sparkling full of life and warmth.”

The label has thanked everyone for their messages of support and stressed that Sibling will continue following Bates’ death, and their next showcase will be the spring/summer 2016 catwalk show at London Fashion Week in September.