Remembering McQueen, His Last Collection

Today in Paris, the late Lee Alexander McQueen's final creations for his namesake brand were shown to small groups in an intimate, gilded salon. While the decision by PPR, the parent company to label owner Gucci Group, to go ahead and show the collection during FW2010 Paris Fashion Week had many people arguing it's appropriateness considering the sad and shocking circumstances of his death, the small presentation was, in a word, heavenly.

McQueen played with religious imagery, ornate detail, rich fabrics and grand, armour-like silhouettes evocative of religious clergy, angels and saints. An exquisite stained-glass-like neckpiece and cuff completed one look, while wings placed across the back completed another. Several models had laurel leaf plumed headpieces which called to mind the great Saint Joan of Arc.

The presentation was a real testament to McQueen's creative genius that will be so sorely missed; always pushing the boundary, forcing you to look in a new direction with his fresh and unique vision.

A simply breathtaking collection from one of fashion's most brilliant minds.

Rest in peace McQueen.

Images via showstudio.com

Beauty Bargain: Maybelline "Sweet Thing" Nail Colors

We are pretty much nail polish junkies here at Phashionista, constantly painting and repainting our nails and always on the hunt for fun new shades, so when we happened to catch a glimpse of these new little babies from Maybelline, we obviously thought "Need it. Now!" And the best part? They are only $4.25 a pop.

Part of their limited edition Sweet Thing range, the polishes come in an assortment of perfectly pastel and pretty shades inspired by delicious candies and treats and are a perfect way to welcome this newfound Spring weather outside.

We are loving "Minty," (seen with Sally Hansen's "Commander in Chic" below) a perfect pastel green that looks strikingly similar to Chanel's super-hard-t0-get Jade polish of last Fall. Next to go on our fingers will be "Sweetie Pie", the peachy-pink shade and "Pie In The Sky", the heavenly sky blue.

Hurry up and hunt these down at your nearest drugstore, because once they sell out, they're gone for good.

Image at top courtesy of Maybelline

Love This Look: Kate Bosworth Is Pretty In Pink

Who: Kate Bosworth

What: Valentino

Where: 2010 Vanity Fair Oscars after-party at Hollywood's Sunset Tower

Image via JustJared.com

"I used to love slapping people in the face when I was drunk. I thought it was really funny, so I did a lot of that." - Lara Stone to Marc Jacobs in the new Interview

Red Carpet Redux: 2010 Academy Awards

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So here are our picks for best dressed at this year's Oscars. Rachel McAdams looked perfectly ethereal in pastel Elie Saab, Cameron Diaz took a trip back to her sharper looks of the past in a shimmering beige Oscar de la Renta, newcomer Carey Mulligan repped her fashion cred in black embellished Prada, and always looking fabulous Diane Kruger shut it down in elegant Chanel. Who were your faves?

The Perfect Spring Blazer? We Just May Have Found It

We spotted this new arrival to the Topshop website and were instantly obsessed.

What's not to love? The perfect weight for that Winter-to-Spring transition-y weather (which we hope is here to stay), this cool little blazer marries both sportswear and military ideas that we saw so much of for Spring 2010, with its grey jersey sleeves and sharp olive green khaki body.

For $125, it's a bit of an investment, but considering how much wear you can get out of it, it's one were willing to make.

Available here.

Trend Report: Fall 2010, Va-Va-Velvet

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For Fall 2010, designers are having a velvet moment, with the love it or hate it material showing up on many a runway in mostly shades of red and pink. Wang and Altuzarra went gothy vamp with theirs, while Zac Posen and Nanette Lepore turned out sweet, flirty numbers. Last time we wore velvet, it was 1996 and from Gap Kids. We're not so sure yet about hopping on this trend ourselves, though with the right shape, it definitely could work. What say you?