Paris Fashion Week: the clothes, the makeup, the hair…the nails.

In addition to the cutting edge fashion that hit the runways at Paris Fashion Week, Minx nails took center stage at Alexander McQueen and Gareth Pugh.

Minx has become the manicure-du-jour for celebrities, singers, actresses, and fashionistas so it was only a matter of time before it hit the runways.

Alexander McQueen’s Spring / Summer 2010 runway show during Paris Fashion Week has gotten a lot of attention over his 12-inch python platform shoes, the armadillo, and futuristic dresses. If you look closely, you’ll notice the models not only modeled edgy hair and makeup, but fabulous metallic Minx nail decals to complement the total look.

Minx founder Dawn Lynch-Goodwin personally worked backstage with leading UK manicurist Marian Newman to provide customized Minx nails to the models before they strutted the catwalk. McQueen’s show featured 45 different patterns of Minx transfers, each made with a bespoke McQueen print.

Backstage at McQueen, the Minx team told Allure magazine that they’d been working 12-hour days for over a week to create the custom-made elaborate nail art — and since some of the show’s fabric patterns changed at the last minute, the Minx ladies had to re-do some of the nails the night before the show.

Though the designs were hard to see from a distance, up close “they were beautiful,” Kirby said.

Minx devotee Rihanna sat front row at Gareth Pugh’s Spring / Summer 2010 fashion show and her favorite nail art was featured on models in the runway presentation. Pugh’s show featured a futuristic collection in a moody gray palette, so what better accessory to complement the models look than liquid silver Minx. UK manicurist Teresa Smith worked with Minx to create special edition Pewter Minx nails for the fashion show. Do you think Rihanna let Gareth in on her secret beforehand?

The latest craze in nail art, Minx decals are made of foil-like coverings which are applied to clean, buffed nails and only require heat lamps to seal the design. In addition to the fabulous assortment of nail art available, Minx is actually good for your nails, requires no dry time and won’t damage your nails.  The end result is nails that appear to have been dipped in liquid gold, or silver.

Alexander McQueen photos courtesy of Philippe Ardouin