The BBC is reporting that Amy Winehouse, famous as much for her problems with drinking and drugs as her music and fashion hits, has died at the age of 27. The cause of death is still being reported as undetermined, but Winehouse recently cancelled a number of appearances after visible signs of alcoholism, and was previously warned that her drug use could lead to death.

Winehouse received critical acclaim even prior to Frank, her 2003 debut album. Initially signed by former Spice Girls manager Simon Fuller’s 19 Management, Winehouse’s smoky vocals and jazz infused songs led to interest from multiple record labels. Her second album, Back to Black, was released in October 2006 and spawned hits like “You Know I’m No Good” and “Rehab,” the latter dubbed the Best Song of 2007 by Time.  The album topped music charts in the US and UK and earned 5 Grammy awards for Winehouse – a first for a British singer. A fan following quickly developed around Winehouse both for her retro pop music and appearance.

The Amy Winehouse Style Influence

A Chanel ad from the Fall/Winter 2008 collection where Amy Winehouse was a muse to Chanel designer Karl Lagerfeld

Following the success of Back to Black, Winehouse’s haphazard beehive and exaggerated cat-eye eyeliner became as identifiable as her songs. Her ’60s styling made her a muse to Karl Lagerfeld, who sent models down the Chanel runway and into advertisements with messy, upswept hair and winged liner that immediately brought to mind the image of the singer. Not to be outdone, Louis Vuitton paid $1 million for Winehouse to perform at their fashion show during Paris Fashion Week in March 2008.

Multiple trips to rehab facilities and ongoing battles with alcohol and drugs gradually killed hopes for a new studio album, but Winehouse still managed to release a collection for UK sportswear label Fred Perry in 2010. A beauty line that was to include hairspray, head scarves and black eyeliner never materialized.

A look from Amy Winehouse's clothing line for Fred Perry

The singer’s death also places her among a different group of icons: entertainers who didn’t make it to their 28th birthday.

Winehouse now has the unfortunate honor of joining Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison, Kurt Cobain, and Jean-Michel Basquiat in the list of influential musicians and artists who died at 27.

Cachay’s ex-boyfriend, Nicholas “Nick” Brooks is being held by police while they seek a warrant to investigate him further, but an initial autopsy hasn’t provided any clues into how the 33-year-old designer died. {NY Daily News} Brooks is the son of controversial Oscar winning songwriter Joseph Brooks, who faces charges for luring women to false auditions, then sexually assaulting them.

Cachay was discovered clothed, sitting in a bathtub in a room at the Soho House with the water running. There were reportedly no signs of trauma, drug use or a struggle in the room, and the city’s medical examiner is awaiting tissue and toxicology tests to declare an official cause of death. {NY Times} Though the NY Daily News reports that a source says police believe the designer was strangled, based on bruising on her neck.

According to Sylvie Cachay’s website, the dual citizen of the US and Peru lived in the East Village and began her fashion career as an intern at Marc Jacobs, then moved to Tommy Hilfiger where she eventually became the Head Designer of Women’s Sportswear. Her next stop was as Victoria’s Secret’s head of swimwear, and in 2006 she struck out on her own with Syla, a luxury swimwear collection.

Update: Cachay’s death has officially been declared a homicide, with medical examiners saying that Cachay was held underwater and strangled. {Huffington Post} The charges against Nick Brooks will not be announced until January 4th, but he is currently being held in connection without bail.