Madonna made an appearance on the red carpet to promote her new movie W.E. Madonna went for a black embroidered silver and black dress from last year’s autumn/winter collection Marchesa. This dress with its chiffon shoulder details has a slight hint of Miss Havisham; not a great look on Madonna.

Andrea Riseborough, the film’s leading lady also went for a Marchesa design. Andrea’s sheer embroidered skirt and top set from the new spring collection is a good look with just the right mix of fashion (this season’s peplum) and Marchesa’s trademark drama.

Awards Season kicked off last night with the 69th Annual Golden Globe Awards. The big winners on the night included George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Kate Winslet and Claire Danes. New silent movie The Artist took away 3 awards and Martin Scorsese was awarded the covetted best director for Hugo.

On the red carpet one of the best dressed stars of the evening was Charlize Theron. Charlize looked every inch the movie star in a custom made nude couture design by Dior.

Reese Witherspoon wowed in a red strapless fish-tailed gown by Zac Posen. This dress fits Reese perfectly and is teamed with the perfect choice in paired down hair and makeup so as not to detract from the gown.

Michelle Williams went for a retro looking design in a purple textured long-sleeved gown created by Jason Wu.

Lea Michele failed to impress in a too-revealing bronze and silver see-through Marchesa gown.

Emma Stone went for a custom made dark purple chiffon Grecian style maxi dress by Lanvin. This is a nice look but I have come to expect something a little more special from Emma.

Nicole Kidman got it wrong in a rather peculiar studded gown in a strange not quite mint green but not cream either design by Versace.

Kate Winslet looked effortlessly chic in a monochrome design by British designer Jenny Packham.

Heidi Klum went for minimalist chic in a beautiful light orange gown by Calvin Klein.

Angelina Jolie went for a glamorous look in a cream and red detail gown by Atelier Versace.

Tilda Swinton looked so strange it’s actually kind of amazing in a blue jacket and skirt look by Haider Ackerman.

Julianne Moore played it safe in a black strapless layered gown by Chanel couture.

Kate Beckinsale wowed in a super glamorous strapless fishtail gown by Roberto Cavalli.

Freida Pinto chose a beautiful strapless gown in teal blue by Prada.

Jessica Chastain rocked a high fashion embellished white high-neck gown by Givenchy.

Finally Madonna arrived in a metallic and embroidered cap-sleeve gown from the pre-fall collection by Reem Acra.

Finally Claire Danes chose a classic monochrome design, an adapted look by J.Mendel.

Madonna took her latest film project; W.E to the Toronto Film Festival for a special screening yesterday. Madonna made an appearance on the red carpet in a chic black sheer panelled dress from the fall collection by Tom Ford. Although this is a little boring, as little black dresses go it’s a great one and her classic Hollywood forties inspired hair and makeup add a stylish edge to the look.

It may have an evening celebrating the opening of an Alexander McQueen exhibition but Stella McCartney faired rather well on the red carpet, dressing an impressive list of attendees. First up Kate Hudson, the pregnant actress chose a strapless metallic gown for the event by Stella McCartney. The dress with it’s embroidered top was a pretty choice and makes an ideal cut on her fast growing baby bump.

Rihanna, the racy popstar chose an equally racy dress. She went for a lace design custom made by Stella McCartney. The dress features an open panel running all the way up the side of the dress. The look is a not unexpected dose of red carpet drama although a more traditional look might have been a nice unexpected twist to her usual style shock tactics.

Madonna made a rare appearance at last night’s gala. Madonna doesn’t always get it right but on this occasion the cap-sleeved silk blue gown was a perfect choice. It’s elegant, flattering and age appropriate!

Eva Mendes can normally be relied upon to bring a big dose of old Hollywood glamour to the red carpet. On this occasion she went for an alternative look; instead of the traditional va va voom we’re used to she went for a more trend led 70s inspired blue pleated gown with metallic waist-belt from spring/summer by Stella McCartney.

Gwyneth Paltrow can usually be relied upon to wear a fabulous gown by her friend Stella McCartney, she didn’t disappoint. Last night choosing a metallic floor-length gown by the designer. The dress is actually very simple and faff-free, the high neck and long-sleeves give it a very chic appearance but the thigh split means it isn’t without a side of sexiness!

Actress Maggie Gyllenhaal attended the event in a stunning midnight blue sequinned gown, custom made by Stella McCartney.

Finally young actress Hailee Steinfeld has not only been making waves in Hollywood with her Oscar nomination but also in the fashion world. She continued rising in style stakes with her appearance at the Met Gala last night in a high-necked embroidered gown from the pre-fall collection by Stella McCartney. I like that Hailee hasn’t tried to dress older than her age by going for a full length gown, keeping it short maintains a fresh, youthful vibe.

What makes a fashion icon? Someone who is passionate about the clothes they wear, daring with their choices, not afraid to try new things and are subsequently and inevitably imitated.

Does Lady Gaga qualify as a fashion icon? She is undeniably passionate about clothes with Haus of Gaga often described as a modern day Andy Warhol factory. As for trying new things when Alexander McQueen debuted his masterful sea creature inspired collection the world was left wondering whether any of it was actually wearable. Then came Lady Gaga in her video for Bad Romance strutting around in the most daring of McQueen’s outfits and funny enough she made it look great.

Imitation is the crux of this feature because many see Lady Gaga as too fashion forward to even dream of wanting to copy her style.  However Gaga has been imitated and by her equally famous musical peers nonetheless:

See the costumes her partner in crime Beyonce is often found performing in. Or Rihanna provides a good example, her big comeback has involved stage costumes rather resembling the Gaga look. Then there’s Fergie from a standard set that mostly involved stomach bearing outfits to these futuristic creations.

Finally Madonna and Lily Allen pick up the Gaga look in a more subtle way but the iconic 50s style hot-pant look, first seen on Lady Gaga is there.

Is Lady Gaga a fashion icon? The evidence speaks for itself.

[Photo Credit Prphotos.com]

Aeroplane travel for some can be terrifying, others exhilarating and for most uncomfortable and tedious. Thus choice of attire for a flight is an important one and for celebrities this is even more so. Factors to consider include comfort, the steely glare of fellow passengers (don’t you just love walking through the business class cabin taking in the luxury getting slightly excited only to see your own cramped economy seat) and of course the waiting paparazzi.

Celebrity travellers generally fit into three camps: Laid back comfort, Kristen Stewart is the ultimate poster girl for casual girls everywhere far happier in Converse than Christian Louboutins.

Then there is the immaculately styled, primped and ready for the paps types, Katie Price and Victoria Beckham in their teetering stiletto heels are prime perpetrators.

The final camp comes somewhere in between these are the celebrities that choose a look which is flashbulb friendly and cabin comfortable; see Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow.

Of course there is the one thing all celebrities no matter there travel style are never seen in or around an airport without: sunglasses.

[Photo Credit Pacific Coast New & Fame Pictures via Picapp.com]

We have come to expect from our front rows at fashion week a certain amount of celebrity presence. The presence of these models, singers, actresses and it-girls are certain to bring publicity to the designer even when the collection doesn’t.

It was therefore perhaps a very brave choice for designer Marc Jacobs to ban the presence of celebrities at his show. The designer whose name is synonymous with celebrity following from Madonna to Victoria Beckham appears to have made a great decision with his collection being hailed a beautiful success.

Elsewhere in and around Bryant Park the celebrity presence has been strong. The likes of Kelly Osbourne, Victoria Beckham, Sarah Jessica Parker, Agyness Deyn and many more taking in the shows.

[Photo Credit Prphotos.com]

Underwear as outerwear! Lady GaGa was the first to sport this look on many occasions. (Above is a rather extreme example but that is GaGa)

A big trend on catwalks for the spring/summer shows followed. Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, Jean Paul Gaultier, Loewe, Dolce and Gabbana, Marc Jacobs and Antonio Berardi all felt that this season our bras should no longer be hidden from the world.

This look has been around for decades (think Madonna circa 1980s in Jean Paul Gaultier) but never before has it been such a widespread trend. It is not an easy trend and isn’t for everyone, this look more than any other this season has rules that must be obeyed:

Rule 1. Only wear with a toned stomach. Otherwise either completely avoid or if you must, wear with a vest top or t-shirt underneath.

Rule 2. They come in a variety of different styles/fabrics/colours. Try a denim look such as the one below available at New Look for £20 for the day. For the evening a satin fabric in black or cream gives a much more chic effect.

Rule 3. Wear with something high-waisted – a skirt/trousers/shorts. Even if you have a stomach as flat as Cameron Diaz don’t be tempted to bare anymore than about 1-2 inches of flesh at the most, otherwise your look will quickly go from trendy to trash.

Rule 4. The flesh on show should be at the smallest/thinnest part of your waist.

Rule 5. Don’t wear it without anything over unless you are A. on stage performing, B. being undressed by a companion who is appreciative of your sexy look or C. at a music festival and it is 40 degrees. So in the day wear it with a man shirt or long cardigan for a casual look and a tailored tuxedo jacket in the evening will do fine!

Ladies proceed with caution.

Denim Bra Crop Top £20 from New Look

[Photo Credit Prphotos.com and Newlook.co.uk]