Lady Gaga performs at the Brit Awards 2010 in London Tuesday night. (Andy Paradise/Associated Press)

Flamboyant chanteuse Lady Gaga swept the U.K.'s Brit Awards on Tuesday, winning three categories and offering an emotional tribute to Alexander McQueen, the British fashion designer who died last week.

Gaga collected awards for best international female artist, best international breakthrough act and best international album for The Fame, and performed at the ceremony wearing a towering white wig and lace veil, complete with ornate lace eyebrows.

At points, the singer appeared overcome with emotion and paid tribute to McQueen as she collected her first prize, referring to the designer by the name Lee. "Thank you to Lee McQueen," Gaga said, her voice strained.

Gaga, a friend of the designer, recently wore his iconic lobster-claw shoes in her Bad Romance music video. The designer was found dead Thursday after apparently committing suicide.

The awards are the British equivalent of the Grammys, with most winners selected by a vote of more than 1,000 industry members.

U.S. rapper Jay-Z also claimed an award, for best international male, during a ceremony at London Earl's Court arena. Other international nominees had included Bruce Springsteen, Eminem, Jay-Z, Canada's Michael Bublé and Shakira.

British boy band JLS claimed an award for best domestic breakthrough act, while recently split rockers Oasis won a one-off prize when their (What's The Story) Morning Glory? was named best British album of the last 30 years.

Best British band award went to Kasabian. Former Take That member and solo artist Robbie Williams received a special award for contribution to music.