Emotional Naomi Campbell breaks down in tears as she attends the funeral of fashion designer Azzedine Alaïa in Tunisia after he dies 'peacefully' aged 77

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On Sunday news of Azzedine Alaïa's passing rocked the celebrity world, with tributes from the likes of Mariah Carey and Lady Gaga pouring in.

And an emotional Naomi Campbell was seen paying her respects to the fashion designer as she attended his funeral at the Sidi Bou Said cemetery in Tunis,Tunisia on Monday.

The visibly upset British model, 47, was supported by a group of pals after the popular designer passed away aged 77.

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Grieving: An emotional Naomi Campbell was seen paying tribute to the fashion designer as she attended his funeral at the Sidi Bou Said cemetary in Tunis, Tunisia on Monday

Dressed in black feather-embellished coat, Naomi shielded her face behind sunglasses as she wept at the ceremony.

Campbell and fellow fashion icon Farida Khelfa, close friends of Alaia, accompanied his remains from France to Tunisia, French Ambassador Olivier Poivre d'Arvor told AFP. 

Alaia is to be buried in the famous blue and white village of Sidi Bou Said. 

Emotional: The visibly upset British model, 47, was supported by a group of pals including model Farida Khelfa after the popular designer passed away aged 77

Upset:  Dressed in black feather-embellished coat, Naomi shielded her face behind sunglasses as she wept at the ceremony

An AFP journalist saw Campbell leaving Alaia's home surrounded by dozens of people to head for the cemetery of Sidi Bou Said in the northern suburbs of Tunis.

President Beji Caid Essebsi, Alaia's relatives and public figures took part in the commemoration.

Culture Minister Mohamed Zine El Abidine paid tribute to Alaia, saying the designer's work had expressed "the quintessence, the beauty, the fertile imagination" of Tunisia.

Paying tribute: Campbell and fellow fashion icon Farida Khelfa, close friends of Alaia, accompanied his remains from France to Tunisia, French Ambassador Olivier Poivre d'Arvor told AFP

Back to his roots: Alaia is to be buried in the famous blue and white village of Sidi Bou Said

Alaia was born to a farming family in Tunisia in 1940 and studied sculpture at the capital's fine arts school before working at a modest neighbourhood dressmaker's shop.

He moved to Paris in the late 1950s, working briefly for Dior and Guy Laroche before going solo, winning a reputation for sexy designs celebrating the female form.

His muses ranged from French actress and singer Arletty to Hollywood icon Greta Garbo and statuesque Jamaican singer and actress Grace Jones.

Resting place: An AFP journalist saw Campbell leaving Alaia's home surrounded by dozens of people to head for the cemetery of Sidi Bou Said in the northern suburbs of Tunis

Star-studded crowd: President Beji Caid Essebsi, Alaia's relatives and public figures took part in the commemoration

Joining the tributes: President Beji Caid Essebsi, Alaia's relatives and public figures took part in the commemoration

He was dubbed the "King of Cling" for his form-fitting gowns.

Alaia gained world fame in the 1980s with tight black shorts and back-zipping skirts, designs that helped define the confident female silhouette of the time.

He refused to march to the beat of international fashion weeks, however, releasing his collections in his own time with scant concern for publicity.

Grief; Naomi couldn't hold back her tears as she joined mourners in honouring the fashion icon

Respect: Naomi was seen paying tribute at the grave

Coveted: Culture Minister Mohamed Zine El Abidine paid tribute to Alaia, saying the designer's work had expressed "the quintessence, the beauty, the fertile imagination" of Tunisia

Tragic: According to French publication Le Point, the Tunisian-born fashion designer passed away in hospital while in a coma on Saturday

According to French publication Le Point, the Tunisian-born fashion designer passed away in hospital while in a coma on Saturday - with news of his death commencing an outpour of tributes from fashion's elite.

Singer Mariah Carey and former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham, who described Alaïa as a 'true master', were joined by the likes of Madonna, Lady Gaga and Rihanna as they paid their respects to the fashion designer.

Taking to social media, Victoria shared a black and white image of the designer and penned alongside it: 'A sad day. Rest in peace #azzedinealaia....You were a true master and one of my biggest inspirations.' 

Tribute: Naomi held hands with former fashion model Farida Khelfa at the service

Support: Naomi joined a string of star-studded mourners at the funeral

Rest in peace: Azzedine 'peacefully' passed away aged 77, according to reports on Sunday

'Devastated': Mariah Carey, deemed the designer a close friend, which was evident on her Instagram platform as she paid tribute to him 

She wasn't the only famous face to pay her respects, as Kourtney Kardashian shared a photo of herself and sister Kim with Azzedine on Instagram, as she said: 'It was such a honor to have spent the day with you, eat the delicious lunch you cooked for us, have you actually fit us for the night. 

'Kim and I said to each other “pinch me, we’re dreaming.” Rest In Peace kind legend, Azzedine Alaia.'

The sisters also took took to their own Instagram platforms to pay their respects.

Kim shared a snap which saw her getting fitted in a stunning creation from the fashion designer, which she captioned: 'Simply the best! No one like you! It was an honor to know you. You will be missed so greatly! Rest In Peace Mr. Alaia.'

In mourning: News of his death saw an outpour of tributes from fashion's elite, including former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham, who described Alaïa as a 'true master

Celebrity favourite: Kourtney Kardashian shared a photo of herself and sister Kim with Azzedine on Instagram

'Simply the best': Kim shared a snap which saw her getting fitted in a stunning creation from the fashion designer

Honour: Kourtney uploaded a similar image which saw her looking in the mirror while Azzedine attended to her ensemble

Forever a legend: Kim Kardashian was also a close friend of Azzedine [pictured leaving Paris' Modern Art Museum in 2014]

Kourtney uploaded a similar image which saw her looking in the mirror while Azzedine attended to her ensemble. She captioned it with a simple heart emoji. 

The celebrity tributes continued to pour in, with singer Madonna sharing a throwback image of her posing with the Tunisian designer. 

'GOD Bless this. Talented and Beautiful Soul! ♥️♥️♥️ Azzedjne Alaia ♥️♥️♥️! I was so Lucky to know him. Work with him and laugh with him!! May he rest in Peace! @stevenmeisel.'

While she didn't add a caption, Lady Gaga's image showed just how close she was to Azzedine as they whipped up some tasty treats in the kitchen. 

Talented and Beautiful Soul!' The celebrity tributes continued to pour in, with singer Madonna sharing a throwback image of her posing with the Tunisian designer

Friends: While she didn't add a caption, Lady Gaga's image showed just how close she was to Azzedine as they whipped up some tasty treats in the kitchen

'Ill mourn forever': In another image with her friend, the singer added a lengthy message of love and respect

In another image with her friend, the singer added a lengthy message of love and respect: 'I’ll mourn forever the loss of my friend. A true genius in not only fashion but in his heart. He was a king and had the highest standards of design and work ethic. 

'He was so giving, so loving, his heart so full and pure. I️’d watch in awe as he hand made each and every piece, his fingers touching the fabric like poetry. Then he would want to feed us all, and cook with his own hands and talk for hours at the table while his dogs would run around joyfully smelling the delicious food he made us. 

'To say he was special would be an understatement. To say he was integral, important and influential to fashion is simply not enough. There was no one who did what he did. No one knew a woman’s body like him. 

'He should be celebrated as one of the greatest fashion designers the world has ever known. I️ love you, Azzedine. I️’m devastated I️ didn’t get to say goodbye. I️ love you,' she concluded. 

May he rest in peace': Katie Holmes shared an image of her wearing one of his creations

'I can't believe it': Model of the moment Bella Hadid also had the pleasure of working with Azzedine and expressed her devastation with an iconic picture of him with supermodel Naomi Campbell

Zoe Saldana added: 'It was an honor to have met you, broken bread with you at your table and most importantly wear your art on my body. You embodied art, class, dedication, grace and work in creation of self and craft'

Katie Holmes shared an image of her wearing one of his creations, captioning it: 'So sad to hear of the passing of Azzedine Alaia. He is a beautiful soul. May he rest in peace.'

Model of the moment Bella Hadid also had the pleasure of working with Azzedine and expressed her devastation with an iconic picture of him with supermodel Naomi Campbell. 

Zoe Saldana added: 'It was an honor to have met you, broken bread with you at your table and most importantly wear your art on my body. You embodied art, class, dedication, grace and work in creation of self and craft. 

'Azzedine, I will cherish the few moments I spent in your company and will forever feel like one of the many lucky ones who had the opportunity to meet you. 

'I wish your legacy to be honored and for your work to continue even after you're gone. Today in your honor we will leave a white candle burning for you. Adios Mr. Alaia.'

Supermodel Cindy Crawford, who has had the pleasure of working with the style star, was clearly upset: ' So sad to wake up to the tragic news that #AzzedineAlaïa passed away. Besides being a creative genius, he was one of the sweetest people I have ever met. 

'The way he dressed a woman’s body was such a revelation to me as a young model in Chicago because his designs embraced my curves. One of the very first designer pieces I ever bought myself was one of his famous body suits with a skin tight skirt to match in a gold knit fabric from Ultimo in Chicago. 

'Worn with an Alaia belt cinching in my waist, I felt like a million dollars. What an honor it was to model for him only a few years later in Paris at his atelier. He made all of his models feel beautiful and the fashion world will never forget him.' 

'Creative genius': Supermodel Cindy Crawford, who has had the pleasure of working with the style star, was clearly upset

'My heart breaks': Even her rising star daughter Kaia Gerber paid tribute

Dressed by the best: Style icon Rihanna shared images of herself on the red carpet in one of his stunning creations

Lady in red: Rihanna dazzled in one of Azzedine's designs at the 55th Annual Grammy Awards in 2013

'The world has lost a true artist': Model Behati Prinsloo towered over Azzedine as she posed alongside him

Even her rising star daughter Kaia Gerber paid tribute: 'My heart breaks to wake up to this news. there is no one who will ever replace you in this world. you spread love everywhere you went, and i was just one of the few who were lucky enough to experience it. the confidence and power you gave women was truly inspiring. we were so fortunate to have had you share your beautiful vision with us. i will love you forever and am so beyond grateful to have known you. gone too soon mr. alaïa.'

Style icon Rihanna shared images of herself on the red carpet in one of his stunning creations.

Model Behati Prinsloo towered over Azzedine as she posed alongside him and captioned it: 'The world lost a true artist a genius! R.I.P Azzedine Alaia �� we will all forever be inspired by your work. #azzedinealaia.'

He has worked with a slew of stars including Naomi Campbell, Madonna and Lady Gaga, a close friend of his, with Azzedine designing her Oscar 2015 look for the singer.

Appearing to confirm his death, a close friend of the designer had told WWD Azzedine had died from heart failure, but 'peacefully and without suffering'. He had reportedly suffered a fall 10 days prior.

MailOnline have contacted a representative for the Alaïa brand. 

Celebrated: He has worked with a slew of stars including the forever eccentrically clad Lady Gaga  

Famous clientele: Fashion designer Victoria has frequently been pictured wearing Azzedine's designs [above she wears a skirt from his collection in 2009]

Before embarking on his trailblazing career in the fashion industry, Azzedine - who was born to wheat farmers - trained as a sculptor in his native Tunisia. 

In the late 1950s, when he was still in his teens, he made the bold decision to uproot and move to Paris, where he worked for Christian Dior.

However, his term at Dior was brief as he was dismissed for having incorrect immigration papers.

He was soon snapped up by Guy Laroche, where he spent two seasons before branching off and starting as an independent couturier. 

In 1980, he produced his first ready-to-wear collection, though unlike most designers who stick to seasonal calendars, Azzedine marched to the beat of his drum, once declaring: 'When the collection is ready, it's ready.' 

The designer had a flurry of fashion mavericks rejoicing in July when he unveiled a surprise couture collection, which had modelling icon Naomi Campbell return to the runway. 

Azzedine convinced Naomi Campbell to make a rare return to runway in July when he unveiled a surprise couture collection

Fashion's biggest figures: Victoria's Secret model Karlie Kloss also modelled the collection