Fashion and Culture... The places to be!
New York Fashion Week may be under way but the most newsworthy events in the industry didn't occur on the catwalk but inside the glossy pages.
Scoop International Fashion Show returns to London to showcase selected brands in amazing gallery spaces. Since attending the first edition, the efforts to promote this trade show are visible, everything runs smoothly and there are more and more people around.
We associate summer with heat, bright sunlight and outdoors living... But all this becomes wishful thinking in London, fortunately there's enough going on to push away the dark clouds. Sarah Jessica Parker is designing a shoe collection in collaboration with Manolo Blahnik so high heels will elevate into a whole new level with the most stylish woman on the planet!
Spring couldn't be any brighter in Cannes with all the stars posing away on the red carpet. Ironically, the film festival suffers $1m jewellery theft on the day of the premiere of The Bling Ring, a new film directed by Sofia Coppola about teenagers stealing designer clothes, bags and shoes from celebrities (based on true events).
The annual Costume Institute fundraising gala at the MET is one of the most important events for the fashion industry, when celebrities wear the most amazing dresses on the red carpet. This year's theme was Punk: Chaos to Couture, a promising yet challenging endeavour for even the best stylists in the world.
This year's festival was almost like an upgrade of its successful first version, set in a premium location with a much larger audience and a wide range of key speakers from the fashion industry. This is a great opportunity to judge for ourselves people whom we can only perceive through the eyes of the media.
In 1953, Harrods launched its Fashion Theatre, inaugurating it with a Christian Dior London show at which Dior himself was present. The Dior collections were presented there regularly until the late 1960s. Celebrating the occasion, they have joined forces to depict the heritage of the brand while celebrating its new creative vision by Raf Simons.
Digital media communication is already upon us, most published magazines have interactive websites and special editions for iPads and mobile phones. But this is the first time the publishing industry combines all these platforms on paper with a Direct Response Publishing title: iLove magazine.
You never cease to be surprised in London! That's one of the things I love the most about this city. When staring at Julie Verhoeven's illustrations at SHOWstudio: Fashion Revolution, I was far from imagining it would be possible to meet her but this morning she was presenting her work at the British Library and I was fortunate enough to be there.
The first ever fashion themed Late at the British Library was sold out days before the event which shows the hunger for initiatives such as these. Curated by the students of the world-famous Central Saint Martins Fashion department, this was a promising evening designed to succeed.
After the limelight of the Oscars ceremony with Daniel Day-Lewis making Oscar history by wining the best actor three times and Jennifer Lawrence being rewarded for her leading role in Silver Linings, it's exciting to realised one of my selected dresses actually made it to the red carpet.
It's always a pleasure to attend Scoop International. This directional boutique fashion trade show is developing further with the participation of more labels without becoming overwhelming. Inspirational fashion is paramount so you can expect different design aesthetics but still commercially focused.
More and more people are shopping online in the comfort of their home so retailers have to rethink their conventional way of engaging with us. It's all about getting to know our habits and lifestyle in order to attain an ageless goal: making us spend our money. So is the No Noise initiative, promoted by London's department store Selfridges, just a cynical approach to our well-being?
There was much anticipation last night about the Golden Globes for all those involved with the film industry, to receive an award is a valuable recognition with positive consequences for the future. But for the fashion world this event is also a powerful boost as everyone wants to see their favourite film stars looking beautiful and glamorous.
This is an exciting week in London with a lot happening in the art world, from the renowned Frieze Art Fair to PAD London, a magnificent blend of modern art, design, decorative arts, photography and tribal art. For fashion aficionados, Saatchi Gallery is opening its doors to Chanel's photographic exhibition dedicated to Karl Lagerfeld's latest book.
This initiative dispels the common belief that Britain doesn't manufacture anything anymore and showcases an eclectic range of fashion and accessories - available for purchase - by iconic and emerging British companies.
Rankin Live Talk
It can be challenging to hear someone as famous as the renowned photographer Rankin without preconceived ideas because so much has already been written about him and his work is so widespread that you cannot avoid having mixed feelings about it.
Fashion Prize Cocktails
Is it possible to express a specific aesthetic style through a drink? There is only one way to find out. You can taste a limited edition Fashion Prize Cocktail menu celebrating five designers who have been shortlisted for the 2012 Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize.
Culture and Cocktails
I admire Juliette Binoche for her unique career path, only following whatever is close to her heart. I first watched her in the Unbearable Lightness of Being, a film adaptation of a novel with the same name by Milan Kundera, published in 1984.
London Fashion Week is getting bigger and bigger and with Natalie Massenet, the founder of Net-a-Porter, as the new Chairman of the British Fashion Council from January 2013, we can expect it to become even greater.
London is a proud city after the amazing Olympic Games closing ceremony, which featured a wide range of stars, from music and ballet to fashion. British fashion industry was given a special place, with a set of pictures commissioned by Vogue magazine taking centre stage.
To celebrate the new 'face' of the DKNY store in Old Bond Street, model teams are out in the busy retail areas of Central London* offering postcards which you can exchange for a DKNY London tote bag, great to take on holiday.
This fashion trade show is a platform for creative talent featuring a wide range of labels from UK and abroad. Lynnja Wang has interpreted the pleats trend into this beautiful dress with an abstract print.
Cannes Red Catpet and Female Directors
On occasion of its 65th birthday, the Cannes Film Festival is marred by the absence of female nominees for the Palme D'Or. The only woman to have won the prestigious film award is Jane Campion for her film The Piano in 1993.
Art Deco Fair
With spring slowly conquering its due space and warming us up, we have to accept its irresistible invitation to be outdoors. And this weekend we have the perfect opportunity to leave the comfort of our home - Eltham Palace is hosting its popular Art Deco Fair.
Wild SwansLast night a friend invited me to see the play Wild Swans at the Young Vic based on the worldwide bestseller which has sold 13 million copies in 36 languages. Jung Chang's highly acclaimed family memoir follows the lives of three generations of women in China at the heart of the 20th century.
Tom Ford at Vogue Festival
He is one of my favourite designers, his clothes encapsulate his magnetism and reflect his highly stylised vision of the world. Tom Ford woman is always powerful and elegant, the slightest detail reveals much thought and a visceral aesthetic intuition.
Fashion Blogging Debate
The V&A Connect evening started with a quote by Franca Sozzani, the editor of Vogue Italia who was awarded last month with the Legion of Honour by French President Nicholas Sarkozy in Paris.
Fashion Press Day 2
Are you curious to see which designers caught my eye during another day of fashion hunting around London? If you expect big names, think again, this time it's all about the up and coming, although some of them are already quite well-known.
Fashion Press Day
For those oblivious to fashion, a press day is when designers display their collections for next season to a selected few, after being presented for the first time on the catwalk. This is a way to get things going before everything hits the shop floor.
Art Deco Fashion
London is fascinating, where else in the world can you go for a free lunchtime lecture about the stunning style of the Art Deco era? Dr Clare Rose presented this interesting period with beautiful illustrations and photographs at the V&A.
Oscars Dresses
After my selection of dresses for the Oscars, this time there was only one on the red carpet from Marchesa, worn by George Clooney's girlfriend, Stacy Keibler.
Dresses for the Oscars
This is one of the most glamorous events of the year and while we're sleeping, the most well-known people of Hollywood will be walking the red carpet in Los Angeles.
London Fashion Week: Day 4
This was another very busy and exciting day covering shows and events, from Burberry Prorsum's elegant new shapes to a fashionable book launch.
London Fashion Week: Day 3
You can see Mulberry Creative Director Emma Hills is obsessed with movies, the woman who walked down the catwalk could be a character from the silver screen wearing different types of fur and knitwear, as if she was out and about.
London Fashion Week: Day 2
The second day of London Fashion Week was just as hectic as the first, running from one place to the other to try to cover as much as possible.
London Fashion Week: Day 1
This is the most exciting time to be in London with so much happening in the fashion industry, everyone tries to make the most of these few days of limelight to promote designers and show off.
New Editorial Voice
The first issue of Dash magazine was published yesterday with a great party at Wyld, where fashionable people have gathered to celebrate this new publication 'devoted to the fabrication of images, concepts and articles with a high level of depth and aesthetics'.
Fashion Trade Shows
Today it was all about business in London with the opening of two different fashion trade shows, Pure and Scoop International.
Lagerfeld, Missoni and Birthday Thoughts
Yesterday was the launch of Karl Lagerfeld's collection on Net-a-Porter.com, in London it was revealed in Convent Garden with different people queueing to scan the window display with their i-phones and iPads in order to shop online.
Red Carpet: Golden Globes Dresses
We all know the Golden Globe Awards winners, it was a memorable evening with Meryl Streep and Kate Winslet validating once again their position as the most versatile and powerful actresses in Hollywood.
Dresses for the Golden Globes 2012
Tonight, the film industry will gather in Los Angeles for the 69th ceremony of the Golden Globes. British comedian Ricky Gervais will host the Awards for the third time, despite criticisms that he went too far last year.
The Collection of Elizabeth Taylor
Elizabeth Taylor represents the glamour of the golden age of the silver screen, a true diva who will always be remembered for her stunning beauty and amazing talent. Christie's in New York is auctioning this week her collection of haute couture, jewellery and art.
British Fashion Awards 2011
Tonight London was home to the fashion event of the year! The British Fashion Awards recognise the most influential people in fashion and celebrate the creativity and success of British designers.
The Ultimate Wedding... Till Death Us Do Part?
It's the fantasy of almost every girl, to find the perfect match and get married. Your wedding is the day you'll remember for the rest of your life and the dress you'll wear only once becomes your most treasured possession.
Moon Light Fashion
Last night another members club opened its doors in London. Dorsia is the new nightlife destination in South Kensington, certainly competing with Boujis, already an established business with a high profile clientele.
Burberry Prorsum Catwalk Show
I knew I was about to see a worldwide luxury brand as soon as I've got in the beautiful Kensington Gardens, packed with photographers and TV crews.
London Fashion Week: Day 3
This morning was full on at the Mulberry salon show. The brand has won over the hearts worldwide with its luxury bags combining stylish design with the finest leathers.
London Fashion Week: Day 2
For those of us who just came back from our summer holiday a few weeks ago, the catwalk shows reminded us of our exciting time abroad.
London Fashion Week: Day 1
You feel the excitement in the air as soon as you enter Somerset House, where some of the shows are taking place and where everything is based, from the designers' exhibition to the press lounge.
Vogue's Fashion Night Out in London
A Carnival vibe took over Bond Street last night with people making the most of the thrilling shopping experience promoted by Vogue.