YSL SS12 Arrivals: Alexa Chung, Kylie Minogue and Salma Hayek

After that Burberry show at London Fashion Week last month, I'm not sure that there will ever be another front row that will be able to pack in the celebs like them. But the Yves Saint Laurent show gave it a good go. From the obvious (well, Alexa Chung was in Paris) to the devoted but surprising Kylie Minogue to the wife of the boss, Salma Hayek. So let's discuss outfits.
Of course Alexa looks all kinds of cute in her prom dress. But it is her hair I like more. How cool does it look all volumious and peek-a-poo? Kylie looks pixie, but a bit of a mess really. I love her but what is going on with that top? Shoes and trousers are a-ok, hair looks like it is going brunette, but it is the top that seems a bit all over the place. Kyles, what's up? Sort it out, lady! And even with a bandaged ankle, Salma looks sophisticated and rich beyond anyone's wildest dreams. This is a rich-lady get up, isn't it? Amazing, naturally, but maybe a bit too posh for me. So it is Alexa who wins for me again. What about you?

Stella McCartney SS12 Arrivals: Alexa Chung, Miranda Kerr, Natalia Vodianova

Oh my goodness I do love that denim tunic that my mate Alexa Chung is wearing. Seriously. Love that she has combined it with that little old lady handbag. Of course love those vintage court shoes. But mostly I just love that denim tunic. Love it.
Denim seemed to be the order of the day as the celebs arrived at the Stella McCartney SS12 show. Miranda Kerr who has been working HARD for her money this Paris season, forwent leather for the first time in days and days, to don her favourite denim mini skirt. She of course looked amazing. Let me draw your attention to that pair of sunglasses she has on. Sensational.
And of course Natalia Vodianova had to go one step further and wear a Stella McCartney white lace jumpsuit for the show. It looked amazing on her supermodel body. But seriously, I can't imagine it is going to look anything like that on a normal bod. Still, props to Natalia.
Now handover the denim tunic or I'll...I'll...I'll...

Pride of Britain Awards: Cheryl Cole in Victoria Beckham

I was following the Pride of Britain Awards last night on Twitter and yet nothing prepared me for the lead picture on the feeds this morning - Cheryl Cole dressed in a light pink Victoria Beckham floorsweeping column of beauty. You see, Ms Cole has not been a fan of VB to date. Probably feeling like a poor cousin to Posh 'n Becks, Cheryl has been a bit snippy about the collection by the WAG that set the pace. And now look at her. Looking magnificent in this pink gown. And blonde hair apparently.

Also at the event were some other Spice Girls, notably lovely Baby Spice, Emma Bunton in Dolce & Gabbana. And other Girls Aloud, Kimberley Walsh, in stunning Blumarine. Please note the plunging neckline trend that we mentioned around the Emmy Awards. There was plenty of evidence to support this trend at the PoB Awards last night. I thought that Strictly Come Dancing presenter Tess Daley looked cute in Alice + Olivia and Rochelle from The Saturdays was wearing my mate Dannii Minogue's Project D label - navy being an eternal winner for the red carpet in my book. Very elegant.

What do you think about Cole in Beckham? And the plunging neckline trend? Let me know.

Rowan Atkinson's Daughter Lily and Others at Premier of Johnny English Reborn

I always love it when I can tell you a story. Back in 1992 I was a waitress on the Kings Road in London. It was a pretty posh kind of place and we had a few famous faces in and out the place, including Jason Donavan and the Right Said Fred boys. Well it was 1992. And our chef was the brother-in-law of Rowan Atkinson. So he was there quite a lot with his divine wife, Sunetra. But he was always really, really glum. I mean totally uncommunicative and borderline rude. She was however, charming and gracious and more than made up for it all. Of course at the time they didn't have kids. That came a few years later when I had moved on to more office-based pursuits. But their daughter Lily is now 16 years old and takes after her mum. Just look at her. And what awesome leopard print booties she has!

They were at the premier of dad Rowan's new movie, Johnny English Reborn, which I am pretty confident I will not be seeing. Also in attendance and looking amazing was X-Files Jillian Anderson, and newly married Josephine de la Baum (Ronson) who is wearing a super-sexy Louis Vuitton outfit. I'm not sure that it is totally flattering, but I do rather love the statement. What do you think?

Looks I Loved This Weekend: Black and White

The black and white story is as strong as ever in the fashion world, and watch out this summer, it is an evergreen trend you will not be able to avoid. Take a look at these ladies who stepped out in black or white or a combo of both this weekend.
Starting with the divine Freida Pinto. She is wearing a beaded and feathered Versace gown to asn awards show in Mumbai. As ever, I think she looks refined, elegant and yet has still embraced the deep v-neck trend on her gown. That's a great combination.
Kirsten Dunst is my current style crush as you all know. Not only is that white shirt dress a-mazing, but the shoes with it make it super-cool. How unexpected, right? Wouldn't she usually wear a brogue with this dress? I adore that she is mixing it up a bit - gives us loads of ideas.
Chgarlize Theron, or onse Chalize as we call her around these parts, attended the launch of the video game Rush on the weekend looking incredible in a black tuxedo shorts suit and GENIUS shoes. While it is probably not possible for her to look unattractive, she does look particularly hot in this outfit.
And Evangeline Lilly wore Reem Acra to the premier of her new movie Real Steel, about five minutes after having a baby. Seriously. Beautiful, no?

Princess Charlene of Monaco Sits Front Row at Akris SS12

Sitting just two people down from the great Anna Wintour, there was genuine royalty at the fashions in Paris yesterday. And it was our very own Princess Charlene, Her Serene Highness of Monaco. Described in one report as having a South African accent as broad as her swimmers' shoulders. That made me chuckle a bit. She was at the show of Akris, which if you read this blog regualrly, will know is her current go-to designer. The Swiss design house did onse Charlene's dress for Kate and Wills' wedding, as well as the Red Cross Annual Ball and all her weekend outfits for the Monaco Grand Prix. Which was incidentally the theme of the new Akris spring/summer 12 collection.

Obviously comfortable with having Akris designs amended to the suit her figure, role and the taste of the people of Monaco, Charlene chatted quietly and pointed out a few of the designs that she liked. She also offered her very lightly-protected self up for a few careful interviews (she prefers to be quite independent). And continued to play the media very carefully and nervously in light of the hatchet job done just before her wedding. It was a pleasing change to trade in the minor celebrities for genuine couture-wearing royalty, and good that Charlene is actually carrying out her stated intention of linking Monaco and fashion. Good girl.

Dior SS12: Arrivals Dressed in Black and White

I am not sure what the invitation said, but the high profile attendees at the spring summer 2012 Dior collection all wore black and white (with a op or two of red). If only I could get an invite to this show. And this, the second collection presented by the design house since the John Galliano scandal, was received with satisfaction. In that it was 'fine' but it has lost all of the magic of the Galliano years. Sigh. I miss it so much.
But just look at Miranda Kerr arriving for her job at the show. It was the second day in a row that she had comibined leather and a white t-shirt. Vintage shorts. Red shoes. Miu Miu bag. Very nice young lady. But just look at Olivia Palermo. Always got to go one step further. She looks amazing though in this Dior sheer black maxi number. Rachel Zoe was, for me, the best dressed. I LOVE this dress. And it looks fresh for her, who is usually in vintage, and pretty much the same old look every event. And this is just a variation on it. But it is an awesome one. (And you can get a dress EXACTLY like that one from our local design due Christopher Strong. Do it.) And then that Leighton Meister. Not my favourite Gossip Girl. But a particularly pretty look on her this time round. Really. She looks super cute. Played.
PS: Click on the image for a bigger version.