McQueen

It seems like every celebrity and his/her cousin is launching their own scents these days. Thing is, most of those celebrities are, well...you know, alive. Not this one, though.

Amidst the myriad jackets, watches and even motorcycles – and just about everything in between – licensed by the late Steve McQueen's estate comes this cologne. It features a fresh green fruit top-note, the essence of cardamom, sage and cinnamon and cedar base. And of course, the name and likeness of the legendary King of Cool himself.

It won't come cheap, with a €190 (nearly $250) list price (before shipping and taxes), and hits the market as we go to press.

A handful of fashion editors got a look at Alexander McQueen's last, unfinished collection on Tuesday, making them acutely aware of the genius the industry has lost.

The 16-piece collection, half of what was supposed to have been shown in Paris this week, was 80 percent finished on Feb. 11 when the designer hanged himself at his London apartment at the age of 40. He had been reportedly distraught by his mother's death and there were rumors of a failed love relationship. Sarah Burton, who worked with McQueen for more than a decade, finished his work.

The presentation was set to opera music the designer was listening to when he was working recently. It was "solemn, funereal and even a little spooky," according to Women's Wear Daily.

Editors said the show was difficult to watch because it was soon clear that McQueen was fixated on the afterlife. The clothes had medieval and religious overtones and suggested battles between angels and demons-themes that take on significantly more meaning in light of McQueen's death. With pale faces and wearing bronze skull caps, models glided out in Jacquards and silks on which Old Master paintings by Botticelli, Hieronymus Bosch and Jean Fouquet were digitally transferred. One print portrayed hell and damnation while another featured doves. A skull, a signature of McQueen's, showed up in this collection crushed and broken.

While it might be fun to buy this bag now you'll probably want to wait a few weeks for cooler weather to wear it since it's made of wool. It's a fun (albeit busy) creation by Alexander McQueen of varying houndstooth patterns meeting all haphazard with patent leather accents like corner protectors, pockets with snaps and zippers, and double handles attached via buckle. Black and white with no top closure and two more pockets in the red cotton-lined interior (you might need a map to remember where you stashed everything!). $1,995

There's no easier way to punch up an outfit than with a burst of bright color, and this jewel-toned blue number by Alexander McQueen is a perfect example of that. The Crystal-print Clutch is made of multi-colored satin twill printed in a geometric crystal pattern that's highlighted with silver hardware. Styled with a fold-over flap top that closes magnetically, it also features a zipped pocket on the back and a black-lined interior. Plus in true clutch fashion it has no strap, removable or otherwise. $540

How can you not love a bag that's described as "fringed and fabulous?" This Leather Woven Wishbone Shopper by Alexander McQueen earns that description and as a result must be carried with bold confidence or you won't be able to pull it off. The large slouchy shape of woven leather is accented with tassel fringing, silver wishbone rivets, stitched edging, and basketweave detailing on the front and back. It has a single handle on the top and is fully lined. A perfect break from the usual spring pastels and brights. $6,380

This is a bright, bold clutch that certainly will not go with anything. It's probably very limited in terms of what it will coordinate with, unless I'm being too close-minded or you're a lot riskier than I am in your fashion choices. But regardless of when or how you carry it, this Neon Panel Clutch by Alexander McQueen is sure to make a statement. Black patent leather with bright pink geometric panels give this bag its slightly retro vibe, plus its large size (13" x 7" x 3") means it will have plenty of room for stashing all of your essentials. $1,070

Runway fashion shows are fun because the styles are so extreme, and then it's always interesting to see how the designs get toned down later for sale to the mainstream public. The shoes in Alexander McQueen's Spring 2009 collection are no exception, providing lots of artistic flair and totally unwearable (in the real world anyway) style. My favorites are these crystal boots -- look at that gorgeous heel -- and my least favorites are these incredibly ugly and unflattering heels that are made to look like your toes are pressing through the leather. Yeah, gotta love the "my shoes are totally too small" look.

I've mentioned Zappos Luxe Life before. Now and then I browse the store to see what's new in the Couture section, and recently I found a bag that I really like for fall. Usually Alexander McQueen is too way out for me, but I think this Western-inspired patent bag is great for the days when you break out the jeans and boots but want a nice bag to polish the look. The burgundy and gold bag is made of of patent leather. It's 14" wide across the bottom, 9.5" wide across the top, 5.5" deep and 10" high, enough room for wallet, keys, sunglasses, lipstick and personal technology. The handle drop is 5". Other features: a front exterior slip pocket, platform bottom, top zip closure and a luxurious interior lining with a back wall zip pocket and multifunctional slip pockets. Comes with a protective dust bag. $2,569; free shipping and returns from Zappos.

This Trigger Shoulder Bag by Alexander McQueen looks sturdy and like it's designed for a busy woman on the go who uses the heck out of her handbags. It's sleek in black leather and has a slight military inspiration in the design, but a feminine touch can be found in the detachable gold and black plaited rope strap. It features studded trim, a decorative golden buckle, a press stud fastening, and protective feet. The interior is divided into two compartments by a small zippered pocket and (of course) it's fully lined. $2345

Alexander McQueen -- bestowed high honors from the Queen herself as well as the late ruling monarch of fashion, Isabella Blow -- has just granted devotees across the globe, or at least those with functioning laptops, their wish come true: online shopping via his website. As of yesterday, McQueen's Autumn/Winter 2008 Collection is available for purchase online. Featuring seemingly life-sized models posing in various Fall looks, the site's menswear group appears en route to an obscenely chic hunting party in the English countryside. One can waste a good portion of the afternoon viewing catwalk video from the Fall show, each look an exercise in sleek, fashioned from luxe black tulle and mohair and often with intricate crystal detailing. Oh, and there's free shipping in the U.S. Same day messenger service available to Manhattanites. How befitting.

This Blow Oversized Hobo Bag by Alexander McQueen makes a heavy, dark statement but can still be pretty versatile I think. Probably best saved until fall, this bag features black stamped patent leather (it looks very 'slick') and gold hardware in the form of zippers and little hinges that hold the shoulder straps on. It has a button fastener on the top of the inside and a twill lining, and of course (being a 'hobo') it's positively HUGE, so there's plenty of room for whatever it is you need to tote around town. $2,100

While researching something for Luxist, I came across Styledrops, a fashion site for men, women and children that sells upscale Italian designer goods. For women, select from shoes, handbags, clothing and accessories. Same for men, minus the handbags. Kids get shoes and clothing. The site boasts "the best price you have ever seen on the Internet!"

A sampling of brands: Prada, Gucci, Fendi, Tod's, Hogan, Dior, Fratelli Rossetti, Ferragamo, Cesare Paciotti, Alexander McQueen, John Galliano and Frankie Morello. Check here for the whole list for women, men and kids. Choose by type of item, designer or price.

I haven't purchased from the site so I can't vouch for service or quality, but the site itself is easy to navigate and has some very high-end items.

This is one auction that we're all getting plenty of notice for: the porsche made famous by Steve McQueen in the 70s is going up on the auction block this August.

The 1970 Porsche 908/2 was raced several times by McQueen, including once when he was driving with a duct-taped cast on a broken foot and once when there were cameras attached to the vehicle to collect movie footage. The car has a 3.0 liter 350hp engine and is expected to sell for between $1.5 - $2 million at the auction in Carmel Valley, CA by Bonhams & Butterfields.

Last week at an auction at the Monterey Jet Center in Monterey, CA, a Ferrari previously owned by actor Steve McQueen was won by an unnamed phone bidder. It was a 1963 Ferrari Berlinetta Lusso that McQueen had had restored and custom painted a unique shade of metallic brown. He reportedly drove it as his primary vehicle for almost 4 years, until he got a new Ferrari that took its place. The car was expected to go for around $1 million, but after some "spirited bidding" the final sale ended up at $2.3 million.

Mustang, Ferrari... they've both got ponies on their badges, and are both linked to deceased actor Steve McQueen, but only one can go home with the winning bidder for now. Classic car enthusiasts may be excited to know that Steve McQueen's gawwgeous 1963 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso, glossed with metallic brown paint and fitted with beige leather, will be on the auction block at Christie's International Motor Cars 2007 in Monterey, Calif. on August 16. Expected to rake in as much as $1.2 million, experts are saying the Lusso is the finest example of its kind on the market today, which is saying quite a lot considering it served as McQueen's daily driver for 10 years. Of course, that's after over 4,000 man hours of restoration work by champion automobile restorer Michael Regalia, who acquired the vehicle in 1997 and painstakingly brought the Lusso back to life.

It's no wonder such a special car belonged to the "King of Cool" -- McQueen was an avid racing enthusiast, thorough automobile collector, and even performed some of his own car stunts. He's known best for what is probably the most famous car chase scene, which involved McQueen, the aforementioned Mustang, and some pretty fantastic stuntwork and special effects for 1968 in the movie Bullitt.