Stella McCartney Leads Tributes as Fashion Industry Mourns Tom Ford's Late Husband Richard Buckley

Stella McCartney is one of many mourning the loss of fashion designer Tom Ford's late husband Richard Buckley. The renowned fashion editor and journalist died on Sunday of natural causes after a long illness.

McCartney, the godmother to Buckley and Ford's son Alexander John "Jack" Buckley Ford, 8, posted a selfie with Buckley along with a touching tribute honoring his memory. "To my dear friend Tom and my beautiful godson Jack… It is with the deepest sadness that I speak of the stunning Richard's passing. What a gentle man; grace and charm filled the room when he was in it," McCartney, 50, wrote.

For more on Richard Buckley and other top stories, listen below to our daily podcast PEOPLE Every Day.

"His intellect and passion for knowledge always blew me away, and the sparkle in his eyes dove so deep into your heart each time you were blessed enough to feel it. To call Richard a dear and beloved friend is a privilege, and to know the huge hole left in your lives fills me with deep, deep sadness," the designer and daughter of Linda and Paul McCartney continued. "He was so loved, so respected and so madly and passionately dedicated to you, Tom and Jack, that his life was fully complete."

Stella McCartney Instagram

She ended the tribute by writing: "We love you Richard and we will miss you so very much. Your fight has ended but you will always live on in our hearts…"

Supermodel Helena Christensen commented on the Instagram post, "He was such a beautiful spirit ♥️." Naomi Watts added: "Such a loss. Sending love ❤️."

According to a statement from Ford's representatives, Buckley, the fashion designer's partner of over three decades, "passed away peacefully at their home in Los Angeles with Tom and their son Jack by his side." He was 72.

Larry Busacca//WireImage

Former Vogue and New York Times fashion editor William Norwich also honored Buckley's memory in an Instagram tribute, calling him "the last of a generation of great style journalists and editors."

"Patrick McCarthy, my best friend, introduced me to Richard. Well, he was one of the most handsome men I'd ever seen, with those blue eyes that could launch oceans of desire. So I, thinking myself quite amusing, said: 'listen Hedda if you ever get any scoops I should I have had I'll scratch your eyes out.' It terrified Richard, Patrick told me, and I spent the rest of our parallel working lives, night after night, trying to make up for my bad joke," he continued.

One of Norwich's fondest memories with Buckley was when they stood outside the Metropolitan Museum of Art to "get the scoop" on the wedding party of Mercedes and investor Sid Bass in 1988.

"So on a cold night Richard, Bill Cunningham and I stood outside the back of the Met with our noses literally pressed against the glass," he said. "I brought tea sandwiches from @williampollny which Bill wouldn't eat. We got our stories. We kept our jobs. Oh, beautiful Richard Rest In Peace and Power. And heartfelt condolences to Tom and Jack and your closest family and friends. #richardbuckley."

Fern Mallis, the creator of New York Fashion Week, commented on Norwich's post. "So hard to process this… yet another loss of a truly special soul. I met Richard when he was at NY Magazine and have adored him ever since… and yes those piercing blue eyes. He and Tom had a love affair for the ages. This is so sad, and sending condolences and love to Tom and Jack. RIP Richard. 🙏🏼💔"

RELATED: Richard Buckley, Fashion Editor and Husband to Tom Ford, Dead at 72

Suzy Menkes, former editor of Vogue International shared what she will miss the most about Buckley.

"Dearest Richard, I shall miss your sparky - but thoughtful - letters. I shall miss your dry wit. And you," Menkes wrote on Instagram.

Hairstylist Frederic Fekkai called Buckley "sensational" as he remembered the influence the editor had on his namesake haircare brand.

"When you've been in this business as long I have and you've sold and bought back your namesake brand three times you really find out who your true friends are," Fekkai wrote on Instagram. "I first met Richard as an editor and he was always generous with brilliant advice and staunchly supportive of @fekkai. He IS the reason we brought back the Apple Cider shampoo. In one of his last emails to me he wrote: 'I still search high and low for your Apple Cider Shampoo. You were the one who told me it was good for my hair and I remain true. I stockpile! I am going to die and they will find bottles and bottles of Fekkai shampoo.' I continue to heed your advice and will miss you dearly, my friend. R.I.P."

Trey Laird, founder and Chief Creative Officer of fashion-focused ad agency Laird+Partners, remembered the kindness he felt from Buckley. "Richard was super welcoming & kind & warm to this young Texan - and he always remained that way to me for the decades that followed every time I saw him," Laird said in an Instagram post.

Todd Williamson/Getty

Ford, 60, met Buckley in 1986 at a fashion show, and the pair eventually wed in 2014.

Buckley enjoyed a career in fashion journalism that began at New York Magazine in 1979. He went on to publications that included Women's Wear Daily and Vanity Fair. He also became the European editor of Mirabella magazine, contributing editor at Italian Vogue, and later the editor-in-chief of Vogue Hommes International.