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Fashion's biggest ball of the year, The Metropolitan Museum's Costume Institute Gala, brought out the stars in all their sartorial glory last night. This year's theme was 'Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty," a subject that inspired passion, in part because the unparalleled designer was so beloved by his peers and industry friends, but also because of his untimely and tragic death last year.

Many guests paid tribute to the late designer by wearing his creations, while a few donned the label's more recent styles by McQueen's protege and successor, Sarah Burton, now known worldwide as the Royal Wedding dress designer.

Flame-haired model Karen Elson wore a McQueen runway original, one she first modeled a decade ago: "I haven't worn it since. It's been in the archives. It's maybe the last time it could possibly be worn...it's falling apart. It's really a special dress," she told our sister site, Huffington Post Style. Others who suited up in McQueen for his big fashion tribute were heiress and friend of the designer, Daphne Guinness; Sarah Jessica Parker; Naomi Campbell; Vogue editor-at-large Hamish Bowles and Giselle Bundchen, among others.

After watching the parade of requisite wacky wedding hats last Friday, seeing similarly outrageous toppers at the Met Ball wasn't as much of a surprise as it might have been. Amongst those who donned festive head gear for the occasion were actress Demi Moore, tennis wild child Serena Williams and Vogue Japan's Anna Dello Russo (in a particularly bold egg-shaped design).

Check out the other mini-trends at the Ball, in our gallery of stars in their finest, above.

Also see how Beyonce's beyond-tight dress got her booed on the red carpet.

How has your mother contributed to your life? Not in a material way, but in a deeper, soulful way: what piece of invaluable wisdom did she impart? What wonderful character trait of hers did you admire and hopefully inherit?

Designer Tory Burch's mother, Reva, was an optimist. Her takeaway, glass-is-half-full message to her daughter was, "No matter how bad today might be, turn the corner and it's a whole new day." This uplifting bit of wisdom undoubtedly formed a small piece of the bigger puzzle that her designing daughter pieced together to build a successful brand, and life as a mother in her own right.

In celebration of Mother's Day, Burch has gathered similar maternal memories and musings (accompanied by some great pictures) from tastemaker friends -- including T Magazine editor Sally Singer, designer Prabal Gurung, TV host Willie Geist, Glamour Editor-in-Chief Cindi Leive and model and filmmaker Christy Turlington Burns, among others -- and posted them on her eponymous site, The Tory Blog. The result is amusing, inspiring and moving.

Take a look for yourself at the gallery, and think of your own mom while you do.

You get one day a year to officially celebrate your mom, so why not go for broke? Surprise her with something special, interesting, well-considered -- an actual present. Gift cards leave all the work to her (and studies show that Americans sit on billions in unredeemed cards a year -- great for Starbucks, not so much for your mother.) Flowers? They're nice, but predictable.

A well thought-out gift is such a pleasure to receive, even more so if it comes in a Tiffany-blue or Hermes-orange box. (No need to panic at the thought of luxury brand prices-- we've hunted out delightful and affordable options from these iconic luxury houses.) So peruse our gallery of gift ideas -- we hope you find something for the special woman in your life, or at least get inspired.

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And for more fabulous gift ideas, check out this video from Fabsugar TV:

Slept on your fashion news this week? Don't worry -- we've got you covered with all you need to know, below.

-There was this Royal Wedding thing? [RoyalWedding]

-And there will soon be more exciting, (half-) English nuptials: Kate Hudson and Brit-rock beau Matt Bellamy got engaged. They kept it quiet and, amazingly, it took over a week before anyone noticed her rock. [People]

-And in more news from across the pond, beloved British beauty brand Boots will launch a U.S. E-commerce site. Ready, set, click, spend! [StyleList]

-Despite repeated, pre-wedding denials, Alexander McQueen designer Sarah Burton did, in fact, design Kate Middleton's wedding dress, as well as her bridesmaid-sister Pippa's -- while Prince Harry's lady, Chelsy Davy, wore Alberta Ferretti. [StyleList]

-Gwyneth Paltrow landed a sweet gig with Coach. [WWD]

-Looks like Catherine will give Diana fair competition as the world's favorite Princess. American designers had an overwhelmingly positive response to the Duchess of Cambridge's wedding attire, which seems in line with the general public's opinion. [WWD]

-Pucker up: A new morphine lip balm will numb your smackers for about 10 minutes per application. [StyleList]

-In the latest trademark lawsuit, J.Crew gets hit up for an animal-print cardigan named after the leopard-happy late designer Tony Duquette. [StyleList]

Looking for something practical, affordable and cool to wear this summer? What's that? You need it to work for both office and weekend? Well look no further. Nanette Lepore's under-the-radar line of luxe basics, Oonagh (that's pronounced OO-na, and it's Scottish for 'pure'), fits the bill.

Chock full of easy, simply-cut pieces with a little bit of attitude, this collection is a departure for Lepore, whose eponymous label boasts feminine frills, flourishes and embellishment. Whereas Nanette Lepore is a garden party, Oonagh is a loft party.

The minimalist cotton tees, lightweight cardigans and tissue-thin, silk maxi-dresses are mix-and-match versatile and they ring in at diffusion-line prices ($58 - $348) so you can stock up without hurting your bank statement. Throw them on and head out on your fabulous weekend getaway. Or just back to the office.