If I Had a Million Dollars...

...I'd spend it on stuff like this:

Alexander McQueen
Chunky Lace-Up Zip-Front Sweater
$1,775.00 at Bergdorf Goodman

Cute, versatile, tough yet feminine. Love the lace up details and the zip up turtleneck. A must-have.

Gucci
Iridescent Floral-Embroidered Crepe Jacket
$6,200.00 at Bergdorf's

It's just beautiful. Would be amazing over a LBD or black trousers. Hell, even with jeans and a tank top. So beautiful.

Gucci
Embroidered Hooded Coat
$9,500.00 at Bergdorf's

It's stunning. I'd probably just hang it on the wall like art.

Givenchy
Pandora Small Pepe Crossbody Bag
$1,750.00

It's crazy, yet not. Only one handle on a bag that seems like it should have two. How does one wear it? Who cares? It's gorg! The washed metallic sheepskin looks so rustic and interesting.

Dries Van Noten
Patterned Velvet Block-Heel Bootie
$660.00

I love these so much, I'd marry them.














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McQueen at the Met

Last Thursday I had the opportunity to see the Alexander McQueen show at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and I have to say it was completely AMAZING. It was well worth the nearly 45-minute wait (with a full bladder). It was not only thrilling to get to see the designer's work up close, but also the curation. The genius of McQueen was given an elaborate set, each room with a different theme to match the garments and objects within, forming a rather magnificent whole.

I think my favorite room was the one themed "Romantic Gothic and Cabinet of Curiosities."

Just a few of the curiosities on display in the "cabinet."

For more information on the exhibit, which runs until August 6th, 2011, read the Met blog.

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Alexander McQueen Savage Beauty Exhibit at the Met

I want to go to this:

The exhibition, in the Metropolitan Museum's second-floor Cantor Galleries, features approximately 100 ensembles and 70 accessories from Mr. McQueen's prolific 19-year career. Drawn primarily from the Alexander McQueen Archive in London, with some pieces from the Givenchy Archive in Paris as well as private collections, signature designs including the bumster trouser, the kimono jacket, and the three-point "origami" frock coat are on view. McQueen's fashions often referenced the exaggerated silhouettes of the 1860s, 1880s, 1890s, and 1950s, but his technical ingenuity always imbued his designs with an innovative sensibility that kept him at the vanguard.

Galleries showcase recurring themes and concepts in McQueen's work. "The Romantic Mind" examines his technical ingenuity, which combined the precision of tailoring and patternmaking with the spontaneity of draping and dressmaking. "Romantic Gothic" highlights McQueen's historicism, particularly his engagement with the Victorian Gothic, and dichotomies such as life and death. "Romantic Nationalism" looks at McQueen's patriotic impulses, including his reflections on his Scottish heritage and his fascination with British history. "Romantic Exoticism" explores the influence of other cultures on the designer's imagination, especially China and Japan. "Romantic Primitivism" captures McQueen's engagement with the ideal of the "noble savage," while "Romantic Naturalism" considers his enduring interest in raw materials and forms from nature.

Six McQueen collections that explore his engagement with the Romantic sublime and the dialectics of beauty and horror are featured as groupings in the galleries – Highland Rape (autumn/winter 1995-96), Number 13 (spring/ summer 1999), VOSS (spring/summer 2001), Irere (spring/summer 2003), Plato's Atlantis (spring/summer 2010), and Angels and Demons (autumn/winter 2010-11). "Cabinet of Curiosities" includes various atavistic and fetishized accessories produced in collaboration with the milliners Dai Rees and Philip Treacy, and the jewelers Shaun Leane, Erik Halley, and Sarah Harmarnee. The Cabinet also displays video highlights from ten of McQueen's renowned runway presentations, including Joan (autumn/winter 1998–99), What a Merry-Go-Round (autumn/winter 2001–02), and They Shoot Horses Don't They? (spring/summer 2004).

The spring 2011 Costume Institute exhibition at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty, is on view May 4 through July 31. The exhibition celebrates the late Mr. McQueen's extraordinary contributions to fashion. From his Central Saint Martins postgraduate collection in 1992 to his final runway presentation, which took place after his death in February 2010, Mr. McQueen challenged and expanded our understanding of fashion beyond utility to a conceptual expression of culture, politics, and identity.

The exhibition is made possible by Alexander McQueen™.

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Royal Wedding Gown

I didn't watch the royal wedding (shock!) but did get to see shots of Wills and Kate on their happy day. While I thought his Irish Guards military uniform was a bit garish, it was what it was. Kate's duds, on the other hand, disappointed me. While I was happy to hear that it was made by Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen, it didn't have any of the potential over-the-topness that a proper McQueen should have. Instead, it was vaguely reminiscent of Grace Kelly's dress from 1956. Pretty, but a snooze. 

Gotta say, though, it's 100x better than the monstrosity worn by Will's mum when she married Prince Charles 30 years ago.

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New Spring Handbags 2011

I am a handbag fiend, but have a limited budget and can never afford the fantastic designer purses I lust after. Here are some of my favorites of the coming season.

Alexander McQueen
Britania Python Skull Clutch
Price: $2,595.00 @ Bergdorf Goodman

Elie Tahari
Emmy Straw Handbag
Price: $398.00 @ Bergdorf Goodman

Diane von Furstenberg
Leni Burlap-Croc Tote
Price: $395.00 @ Bergdorf Goodman

Diane von Furstenberg
Stephanie Metallic Hobo, Medium
Price: $875.00 @ Bergdorf Goodman

Valentino
Large Petale Tote
Price: $1,795.00 @ Bergdorf Goodman

3.1 Phillip Lim
Edie Bow Leather Bag
Price: $750.00 at Saks

Chloé
Marcie Small Braided Hobo
Price $1560.00 at Saks

Rebecca Minkoff
Tryst Large Weekender Tote
Price $550.00 at Saks

Salvatore Ferragamo
Maia Gancio Rafia Tote
Price $990.00 at Saks

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Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty

The Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NY has organized Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty, an exhibition to celebrate the designer's contributions to fashion. Approximately one hundred examples of his work will be on view, from May 4, 2011–July 31, 2011, at the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Exhibition Hall, 2nd floor.

Sounds like a must-attend event for any fashionista.

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Alexander McQueen Fall 2011

Designer Alexander McQueen may no longer be with us, but his spirit lives in through Sarah Burton, the firm's current designer. This season, her theme was "the Ice Queen and her court" which borrowed heavily from the "heritage silhouettes" that McQueen himself was fond of using.

A little bit of princess plus a little bit of bondage makes for quite a fab collection.

Photo credit: Style.com
Because of recent content theft, I am forced to add this new statement to the end of my posts: If you're reading this post anywhere besides the Opalescent blog, OpalescentMinx.com (also http://minxbeads.blogspot.com) then this content has been stolen. Please do not support this thief!

A Tribute to Alexander McQueen

I got this in the mail today and thought I'd pass it on to you. Click text to embiggen.

Click here to reserve your copy. Only $295!

Alexander McQueen's Final Collection

Let's let the beauty of his final 16 designs speak for themselves, shall we?