This week saw Victoria Beckham awarded Designer Brand of the Year at the British Fashion Awards. She travelled all the way from LA with her favourite accessory in tow – super-cute baby Harper – and was presented with her gong on the night by designer best mate Marc Jacobs. Other A-listers at London’s The Savoy for the ceremony included Kate Hudson, Daphne Guinness and Samantha Cameron who, like Mrs Beckham, all wore black. But my dress of the night by a mile was rock chick Kate Moss’s black floor-length fishnet frock.
My favourite designer Stella McCartney also picked up an award for Red Carpet Dresser of the Year, but the ultimate award of the night – Designer of the Year – went to Alexander McQueen’s Sarah Burton who sent the label stratospheric this year after designing THAT wedding dress for Kate Middleton.
While we’re on the subject of Great British brands, there’s good news for Brits living in Paris as M&S has just reopened in the French capital. After closing its store there 10 years ago, there were protest marches on the streets! I was living in Paris at the time and felt like joining in.
And more good news on the shop front – after the 24-hour sell-out success of Versace’s debut range for H&M, Donatella has said she’s already busy designing a follow-up range that will go online on January 19.
Finally, it’s time to wear the trousers – leather ones, to be precise. Make like Alexa Chung and keep them skinny-legged. If you’re a little self-conscious or tired of breathing in, team them with a boyfriend sweater or jacket. Just be sure to wear with a heel or ankle boots, not flats.
Biba at House of Fraser has the hottest on the high street (£149, down from £249) and Mary Portas, also at House of Fraser, has a skinny jegging style (£132, down from £230). OK, they don’t come cheap, but looking at price per wear and the fact they reappear every few years, it’s a good investment. I wear mine with a white T-shirt or shirt, a tux jacket and a killer heel.
But if you don’t do leather – or the price of it – Warehouse has faux leather skinnies (£45) as do Oasis and Topshop (below), both £42. Rock ’n’ roll!