The final collection by late fashion designer Alexander McQueen was shown to a small exclusive group at Paris Fashion Week yesterday.

The final 16 Alexander McQueen looks were shown at the Hôtel de Clermont-Tonnerre, the headquarters of Francois Pinault, who owns majority shares in the McQueen brand.

The final uncompleted collection was hand draped by the designer. The pieces were luxurious in rich gold, red and black colours. The garments were beautifully embroidered and accessorized with feathers and stained glass jewelry. According to this article the fashion looks were reminiscent of pre-1800’s art. Works of arts were captured on the fabric used in the collection. There was a strong religious iconography within the clothes.

The mood in the room was said to be somber and spooky. Models walked slowly to the same opera music Alexander McQueen listened to while he created the pieces. The Telegraph reports once the last look passed through the room an aide whispered, “There is no more.”

We wait now to find out what will happen to the Alexander McQueen brand. The company has said that it will continue on. Rumour was designer Gareth Pugh would step in at Alexander McQueen but Pugh released a statement saying he is not in talks to become the Creative Director for Alexander McQueen at this time.

The death of Alexander McQueen has shaken up the fashion world. His death came as New York Fashion Week began putting a dark cloud over the event. Since that time many have paid tribute to the designer. See Real Style Network’s coverage of Alexander McQueen fashion and news here.

[photo via tu_ly]

Joe Zee, creative director of Elle magazine, has inspired this post with his Twitter fashion advice on summer trends. Here is his advice on the hottest the summer trends and how to wear a boyfriend jacket :

Joe Zee on summer trends:  I’m loving pleated shorts, rolled up, gladiator sandals, loose tanks and t’s. And anything sporty!

Joe Zee on the boyfriend jacket:  I love it with something sexy & feminine: a mini, skinny or wide-leg jeans, vintage t.

Check out Real Style Network sporty summer trend picks, inspired by Elle’s creative director :

1. Embrace your sporty side with our Polo Ralph Lauren Skinny Fit Polo Shirt ($182.00). A Ralph Lauren polo is a classic and a staple in every wardrobe. In this fun resort orange everyone will know you have arrived.

2. Get these Spoon Jean Pleated Shorts ($24.50) for the warmer weather. These stretch jean shorts will be comfortable for any day outing this summer. They come in black, olive and camel to give your wardrobe a little variety.

3. This Heart Clear Oversized Tank ($99.00) is perfect for any hot day. The big comfortable style will look great on the beach over your swimsuit. It also comes in white and has a variety of different prints.

4. Dazzle with the Mariella Heel ($77.39). Gladiator sandals are going to be everywhere this summer so find a unique pair. These four-inch heels have a faint snake print on them for interest. You will love going out every night in these.

5. You can’t go wrong with this Sharagano Studio Boyfriend Jacket ($14.99). For under $20, you can have a jacket for any cool summer night. This jacket is even lined with a cute leopard print to show off your style.

6. Spoil yourself with this Vanessa Bruno Athé Marine Shortsleeve Knit-Top ($169.00). Oversized t-shirts don’t have to be boring. This knit-top has a flattering v-neck, button detailing on the side and an asymmetric hemline so it stands out from those other regular shirts.

7. If you need casual sneakers, find something with some style like these Ed Hardy Lowrise Glitter Shoes ($85.00). Their design is beautiful and funky. They have a laceless style and a satin top.

8. Add these J. Brand Pencil Skinny Jeans ($158.00) to your closet. A skinny jean has become a wardrobe staple. These jeans are a pick of celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe, so we know they will look great all summer.

9. For a sporty look right off of the runway, get this Alexander Wang Striped Cropped Cotton T-shirt ($395.00). This perforated shirt shows off your skin and your style. Pair it with your low-rise pleated shorts and you are ready to go.

10. Add a new mini to your closet with our B. Stylish Mini Skirt ($75.00). This stretch jersey mini will be comfortable on those hot sticky summer days. The draped front ruffle is a stylish update to the mini.

11. For a day of walking try our Tells Sandal ($45.00). These sandals are bright, colourful and comfortable. The leather straps are all adjustable for your comfort on a day around town.

Fashion house Ungaro showed at Paris Fashion Week yesterday without the input of their “artistic advisor” Lindsay Lohan sparking rumours she has been fired.

After just one season it appears that Lindsay Lohan has not been asked to return to her role at Ungaro. Asim Abdullah, the owner of Ungaro, told WWD she wasn’t involved in the fall/winter 2010 collection shown in Paris.

Lindsay Lohan is in Paris for fashion week, but she didn’t even attend the Ungaro show as a spectator. Some speculated that Lindsay Lohan wasn’t invited. Chief designer Estrella Archs took her bow at the end of the show alone.

Lindsay Lohan’s fashion debut for Ungaro back in October was a disaster for the company. Many buyers didn’t purchase the collection. The company continued to stand by Lindsay even when Emanuel Ungaro himself spoke out against the collaboration. The man who hired Lindsay, CEO Mounir Moufarrige left Ungaro in December amidst rumours that he couldn’t work with her.

There has been no official word on whether Lindsay Lohan has been let go.

Khloe Kardashian is wearing the rocker chic look that is so popular for right now.

Kloe Kardashian’s tucked jeans into the over the knee boot, is a great way to wear that style of boot. The Furry vest ( faux fur)has been popularized by Rachel Zoe and gives instant cool factor to even the plainest outfit. Accessorize with a studded hobo bag and an interesting ring and voila, you are sporting rocker chic! Here is how to get Khloe Kardashian’s look for less:

1. Channel Rachel Zoe with this Faux Fur Vest ($29.99). It is fully lined and will keep you warm through the spring.

2. Stock up on the basics with this Crew-Neck Raglan Tee ($14.50). This three-quarter-length sleeve shirt is slightly sheer and very comfortable. Basic black tees are a staple in any wardrobe.

3. Not all of us are as lucky as Khloe Kardashian to have a basketball player husband giving us big diamond engagement rings. That doesn’t mean you can’t have diamonds of your own. Buy yourself a White Enamel & Diamond Floral Ring ($95.00).

4. Copy Khloe Kardashian with a pair of Legend Zoe Skinny Jeans ($119.00). The dark wash, straight leg and slim fit of these jeans will make you look taller and feel beautiful.

5. Get a Steve Madden Bstarlet Hobo Handbag ($98.00) for toting your things around town in style. The pink studded design adds to the rocker chic style Khloe Kardashian has.

6. Our Report Signature Harper Boot ($134.99) is a fashion must-have. They are not only stylish fashion, but they also have a low heel so they are comfortable to wear on a day around town.

Wow, the Oscars have become as much about the fashion as they are about the movies.  After ending up on many of the ‘worst dressed’ for the Oscars fashion lists ,actress Charlize Theron felt that she had to defend her choice of the much criticized Christian Dior Oscar gown .

When asked about the dress by US Magazine Charlize Theron had only one thing to say: “I just loved this dress!”

Despite her love for the strapless purple Dior gown fashion critics and bloggers didn’t offer her any sympathy. E Online said: Yep, those are her lady lumps wrapped in lilac rosettes, courtesy of Dior Haute Couture. This one’s going down in the history books… The Vancouver Sun said: There will lots of giggling in the week to come at Charlize Theron, whose Dior gown had rosettes on the breasts bordering on the burlesque.

While Charlize Theron’s red carpet Dior gown wasn’t on our best dressed list, it is not the worst gown we have seen. The critics should lighten up.

Do you like Charlize Theron’s Oscars gown?

[photo via Dawn del Russo]

At Real Style Network we loved the following Red Carpet Gowns at last night’s Academy Awards.

Here are our winners for the fashion Oscars:

Sandra Bullock in a stunning silver form fitting Marchesa gown. We also loved her with darker hair and red lipstick, her skin was flawless as well. The Best Actress also wins the best dressed.

Jennifer Lopez took a chance on this pale pink/mauve Armani Prive dress. We loved it, but it definitely had its fashion critics.

Kate Winslet looks elegant and fit in a gray corseted Yves Saint Laurent and finally we loved what Helen Mirren wore, the light gray crystal adorned dress suited her perfectly and was very elegant. Finally a very slim, Demi Moore looked stunning in her Atelier Versace nude colored strapless fitted bodice dress with ruffled bottom.

Huffington Post added Charlize Theron in a purple strapless Christian Dior gown and Diane Kruger in a nude and black ruffle Chanel dress to their best dress list. Elle Magazine loved Avatar star Zoe Saldaga’s sparkling purple Givenchy Couture gown. People Magazine included Cameron Diaz’s gold Oscar de la Renta and Rachel McAdams’ pastel Elie Saab haute couture gown on their best dressed list.

[photos via Dawn DelRusso and Prestige Mag]

Diane Von Furstenberg is making a move to interior design. The fashion designer is decorating 20 rooms and suites for Claridge’s in London. WWD reports Diane Von Furstenberg has a long history of staying at the hotel. She calls it “the most glamorous hotel in the world.” No details have been released on how her style will translate into room decor. The Diane Von Furstenberg rooms at Claridge’s are expected to be revealed in June.

Project Runway winner Christian Siriano is returning to television with his own special. ‘Christian Siriano: Having a Moment’ will air on Bravo on Monday, April 5th. He is one of the few Project Runway designers who has made a big name for himself in the fashion world. He has dressed celebrities like Rihanna and Christina Hendricks. Christian Siriano’s special will give fans a backstage look at his line from start to finish including him balancing his personal life with work.

The Lady Dior Saga starring Marion Cotillard continues with a new video released this week. Marion shows off her singing talents in a video where she plays Lady Rouge. Marion Cotillard sings Franz Ferdinand’s “Eyes of Mars” in a romantic hotel room and a large empty theatre. The Dior video was directed by Jonas Akerlund, who has made music videos for Madonna and U2. The video was supposed to debut along with the new Dior collection on March 5th, but was leaked online early. Watch the video here:

Paris Fashion Week continues with more of the most luxurious names in fashion. Yesterday Lanvin and Dior presented their Fall/Winter 2010 collections on the runway.

LANVIN

Always the purveyor of glamour and luxury, Lanvin showed a dark tribal themed collection at Paris Fashion Week. As we have been seeing on other runways the Lanvin collection used dark colours, fur and oversized jackets with bold shoulders. Powers suits and nipped in waists made up the day looks. Silk evening  gowns were softly draped. Outfits were accessorized with chunky necklaces, feathers and wooden bracelets.

DIOR

Christian Dior showed their line yesterday morning at Paris Fashion Week. This sexy collection went retro, really retro. Back to Victorian England retro. The lines had a romantic 19th century feel to it with colours ranging from pale grey, green and pink with beiges and browns added to the mix. The romantic feel was also present in light ruffles , draping and embroidery. Many of the light dresses were silky and sheer and sexily draped the body. The makeup on the models was absolutely gorgeous with luscious eyes and lips perhaps signifying a return to a stronger makeup colour palette for fall. At the end of the fashion show, John Galliano came out wearing a ruffled shirt and riding boots. A nod to his equestrian theme from Dior’s haute couture show . 

See highlights from the Dior show here:

[photos via David Thomm]

See Karl Lagerfeld and Hussein Chalayan live on Real Style Network this Sunday starting at 4 am EST, but don’t worry if you miss it. The repeats will be streamed all day long and you can see lots of other previous runway shows and backstage interviews with fashion designers.

Real Style Network has partnered with Swarovski Crystal in hosting Swarovki-branded web tv feed to stream live fashion shows from the Runways of Europe.  Swarovki, is of course the world leader in cut crystals, which adorn amongst other things some of the most exclusive fashion outfits.

The editors at Real Style network are loving the live shows and besides how could we could we refuse an invitation like this:

“Swarovski has selected who they feel to be the most credible fashion bloggers in the industry to partner with and would like to invite you to join us in this initiative.”

Hope you enjoy Swarovski TV as much as we do. Make sure to check it often as new content is uploaded regularly. Click here to watch the videos.

The fashion elite are back in Paris for another round of fabulous fashion shows. Some of the biggest names in fashion are scheduled to hit the catwalks of Paris with a new Fall/Winter 2010 collection. Yesterday the first of the exclusive fashion shows began with Balenciaga and Balmain.

Balenciaga

Balenciaga showed a very structured, 60’s inspired collection yesterday in Paris. The silhouettes were square with a geometric pattern running through many of the designs. Fabrics included everything from silk and cashmere to paper and cardboard. Words were applied to some of the outfits using perforated paper. There were also more traditional looks of knitwear and cropped pants. Nicolas Ghesquiere departed from the generally dark and/or subdued palette for fall shown by other designers and instead chose brighter shades of orange and mustard through the collection.

Balmain

Balmain continued their trend of glamorous rocker style during Paris Fashion Week. The collection was inspired by Prince’s 70’s and 80’s fashion style. There were lots of strong shoulders and sparkling outfits on the Balmain runway. Pantsuits and mini dresses made up the collection. The jackets were well tailored and fitted. Metallic sequins, chains and beads adorned the clothes. See the Balmain runway show here:

[Balenciaga photos via Anne Slowey]