Alexander McQueen High Shine Visors for AW12

Robot nation? Welder chic? I don't know what you'd call accessorising your look with a new high shine Alexander McQueen visor but I do know it's SUPER HOT. The official line for this key AW12 accessory is 'Beautiful Future' which I can run with but fashion aside, on a practical level it's great for blocking all those nasty, ageing UV rays from a lot more of your face than sunglasses. I'm not sure it's one for the round-of-face like me (sad face) but whatever, I still love it. £270 from various retailers or buy online from www.alexandermcqueen.com

McQ Does Twilight Style For Pre-Fall 2012 Collection

McQ by Alexander McQueen has moved so far away from its denim diffusion line roots; it's still youthful and more affordable than Alexander McQueen mainline (although more expensive than it used to be, though I guess that's to be expected when you start using eg. silks instead of denims) but the designs are nothing like the street wear we've seen from this label in the past. The only theme which seems to remain from McQ's early days is the occasional nod to rockabilly styling and silhouettes.

The McQ Pre-Fall 2012 collection has just gone on sale today and draws heavily on the British fashion house's signature gothic glamour, mixed with a hearty dose of Twilight style inspiration in some of the key pieces, like this wolf print Silk Satin Wolf Rockabilly Dress, £610, and the eerie, scratchy, smokey monochrome x-ray motif of the Black X-Ray Cap Sleeved Dress, £210 also pictured above.

Check the collection out online now at www.alexandermcqueen.co.uk/mcq/ - I'm all over the blood red safety pin knit dress (£275) and the black zip kilt (£300) is a modern classic.  Sarah Burton is totally smashing it with her McQ makeover right now - and just wait til you see the AW12 collection...

Puma x Alexander McQueen - Fancy Footwear

How fine are these silky new Pink Deck Lo sneaks??  Loving the sophisticated satin-like finish and berry-and-black colour palette with a suitably chunky white sole pulling it all together. Interesting how the Alexander McQueen logo is just as prominent as the Puma one too - that's pretty unusual for collab shoes. These really are a cut above and are so much better than a lot of the nasty Euro-trash style trainers other high end fashion brands are currently churning out under their own labels. Props to Puma and the house of McQueen. These are functional, fashion forward and fancy. They were available from Kith NYC and www.kithnyc.com but are currently sold out so check back for restocks.

Met Gala 2012 Fashion - Tiers, Trains and The Death of Pink Tresses

Last night New York's Metropolitan Museum played host fash pack plus a few randoms (James Cordon?? Apparently he's big on Broadway now) at the US Vogue-produced annual Costume Institute Benefit, aka the Met Ball, or as Vogue prefer, the Met Gala.

Called the 'East Coast Oscars', the Met Ball is a serious fashion occasion where the Red Carpet is EVERYTHING but more often than not this year's event, held in honour of Miuccia Prada and Elsa Schiapparelli, previewing the forthcoming must see Met exhibition, Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations, drew gasps in more of a hot mess kind of way, with only a few notable exceptions.

I adore the tasselled, tiered, look of Florence Welch in Alexander McQueen (as usual), pictured spinning to show off the dress' movement, above, and Scarlett Johansson's heavily embellished golden off the shoulder Dolce & Gabbana gown was exquisite but - given the fuzziness of the livestream - I thought she'd already arrived when I saw blonde bombshell no. 2, Amber Heard, make her entrance in this dusky Zac Posen number.

As Twitter blew up over supercool supermodel Coco Roca working pink hair on the carpet I thought it was going to be so major, especially teamed with Liz Taylor's canary yellow vintage Givenchy trouser suit (complete with Liz-spilled wine stain, not yet removed) but ohhhhhh... what a shame Tulisa of all people got there first, and on Britain's Got Talent too. So not high fashion. I think this has officially killed off the pink tips trend for good.

Trains and feathered hems were everywhere and with varying degrees of success (I love you Beyonce so I'm not even going to go into it) - my favourite was Cate Blanchett in another McQueen creation (below) but this time in chic but camera-unfriendly black. How Rihanna got into her slinky, scoop back Tom Ford sheath dress made from one piece of crocodile skin is a mystery (she said it was stretchy - what sorcery is this, Mr. Ford?) but it was perfect for her - maybe she should give her stylist's number to Kristen Stewart? #justsayin

PS. The livestream from last night is still available to watch on the Met's website here - I totally recommend it, especially for the paparazzi and their hilarious shouts at people blocking their shots, "COULD YOU GO TEXT SOMEWHERE ELSE??" etc. and mistaking Florence Welch, Cate Blanchett and McQueen supremo Sarah Burton's group arrival for early 90s girl band, Wilson Phillips - "oh no, actually it's Rage Against the Machine". Brilliant.

All images above from www.nymag.com - check The Cut for a comprehensive collection of Met Gala 2012 red carpet fashions. Rihanna picture, below from www.justjared.com

Oscars 2012 - My Red Carpet Winners

Michelle Williams in coral Louis Vuitton

The TV coverage was absolutely shocking - if you're doing Red Carpet shows then please show us the red carpet! We don't want to see polls about who's going to win what taking up the whole screen, we don't want to hear what the kid off Modern Family thinks about anything at all, we want to see the outfits!  So simple but every channel seems to get it so wrong. Anyway, rant over and back to the dresses.  It wasn't a particularly great year for Oscars fashion for me, with no real WOW moments, but there were still some great looks, including...

1. Michelle Williams in Louis Vuitton (above) - top spot for her attention grabbing colour choice and fashion forward gown with that on trend but entirely impractical for an Awards ceremony peplum. Gorgeous jewellery but could have done without that random pink clutch.

2. Gwyneth Paltrow in Tom Ford.  A sleek and edgy choice from Gwynnie.  Nice to see her taking a bit of a risk and changing her hair up too with the floor length cape putting a red carpet twist on what would otherwise have been a very simple wedding dress.  Loving the cuff.

3.  Angelina Jolie in Atelier Versace.  The overall look of this black velvet dress with the softer, blonder hair and glossy lips gave Angelina a softer look than usual but it wasn't without drama thanks to the gown's structured, asymmetric bodice and THAT slit.  Her right leg already has it's own twitter. Love it.

4. Jessica Chastain in Alexander McQueen.  Originally placed a lot higher in my Best Dressed list, The Help star's heavily embroidered McQueen creation was just exquisite.  Her softly waved half up - half down hair (which was beautifully coloured) and neutral make up kept her polished but let this statement dress do all the talking.  A great red carpet moment.

5.  Milla Jovovitch in Elie Saab Couture.  An early arrival, Milla was originally my number one red carpet choice, working the embellished bridal white trend so successfully and oozing old school Hollywood glamour from every supermodel pore. Her make up was divine and this was a true starlet look from perfectly coiffed head to crystal encrusted toe. Safe but still perfection.  And props to her for working that dress like a true pro - that thing must weigh an absolute tonne.

All images courtesy of The Telegraph Fashion - click here to see their full Oscars 2012 Red Carpet gallery.

LOVE: McQ Alexander McQueen's New Neon Bags

These literally couldn't be any more me if they had my name on...

McQ Amwell mini saddle bag in navy and neon pink leather with silver stud detailing, £370

McQ Stepney tote bag in black neoprene and fluoro orange leather, £355

McQ Amwell cross body bag in neon pink leather with silver stud detailing, £370

McQ Stepney tote in black neoprene and fluorescent pink leather, £355

Super cute silver razor blade zipper pull detail

Inside the Stepney bag - roomy and great lining!

Available from Selfridges and all other McQ Alexander McQueen stockists.