Where: Automat
Joanne Black Style: Lanvin dress and ankle boots, Plein Sud fur, Alexander McQueen clutch, Stephen Webster earrings and a Damiani ring

You could be forgiven for thinking that the words glamour and adventure don’t often make it into the same sentence – let alone the same wardrobe. But, thanks to Charles Finch, whose new Chucs Dive & Mountain shop has just opened on Dover Street, we can all now look as stylish on the beach – or hiking through the mountains – as we do in the boardroom.

Finch’s brand may be new, but those close to him know it’s the result of a life-long dream for this film director, producer and CEO. It comes as no surprise then that stars from film, TV and fashion – including Emma Thompson, Bob Geldolf and designer Roland Mouret – came out to support his Jamaican-themed launch. With burgers and fries and Chuc’s cocktails to wash it all down, Automat provided the perfect setting to celebrate London’s newest seasonal holiday wear line.

Joanne Black and Olivia Cole

When you’re the son of an Academy award-winning actor and the grandson of the man who invented the puffa jacket – before ascending Everest in 1922 – producing an exclusive adventure fashion line for the stars seems like a natural step. And I won’t be the first to say I’m so glad he has. I’ve already invested in a Giles Deacon print bikini – Giles designed the print especially for the brand – and a pair of high-waisted shorts, which Cate Blanchett collaborated on, and I can’t wait to hit the streets of LA to try them out.

If his inaugural spring/summer collection is anything to go by, glamourous adventurers are in for a treat. I’m already looking forward to the next collection, where I hear an updated version of his grandfather’s original jacket will be making a rather stylish entrance.

S.E Ambasciatore Economides, Nick Foulkes, Mariano Rubinacci

Location: Italian Embassy, London
Joanne Black style: Azzaro dress and bracelets, Prada fox shrug and black Stephen Webster diamonds earrings

Every fashionista needs a great tailor. The guaranteed fit – with the cut and colour suited to your body shape – not to mention the attention to detail, means this superb craft should be seen as a necessity rather than one of life’s optional and indulgent extras.

Bryan Ferry, Mariano Rubinacci

As far as tailoring is concerned, the Rubinacci brand is one of the best in the business. So spending the evening at the launch of Nick Foulkes’ brand new book on the subject was pretty exciting. Of course, tucking into fabulous food at the Italian Embassy – alongside the Italian Ambassador who hosted the night – played a part in making the evening memorable. But when you are in a room surrounded by tailoring heavyweights such as Luca Rubinacci who now runs the business alongside his sister Chiara and father Mariano, you can’t help but smile. For a brand that started life in 1932 with Gennaro Rubinacci at London House in Naples, it’s still going strong – as the thriving shops in London, Milan, Naples, Rome, New York and Tokyo would suggest. (www.marianorubinacci.com.).

Lord Jacob Rothschild, Mariano Rubinacci, Marchese e marchesa Mottola di Amato

The velvet-themed night brought with it some fantastic outfits – and great guests including Lord Mandelson and Lord Jacob Rothschild. Rubinacci fan Bryan Ferry looked fantastic in a blue velvet tux, but it was Nick Foulkes who stole the show, wearing a burgundy velvet tux – with a black waistcoat to break up the colour. Contessa Reina Spencer looked very flamboyant in a blue and velvet dress, which complemented her porcelain skin; Valentina Ferraz-Falk (Luca’s girlfriend) wore a stunning full-length black and white gown and Chiara showed her true Rubinacci colours, wearing a short, black jewel-encrusted flapper-style dress, which she accessorised with lace gloves. Barbara Rubinacci was also in fabulous form, dressed in blue satin trousers and a matching top from her Naples shop, Rubinacci Maison (www.marianorubinacci.com.).

Chiara Rubinacci, Mariano Rubinacci, Lord Mayor of Westminster

It’s not every night you get to celebrate such a beautiful craft and raise a glass to Rubinacci’s influential work. But with the Rubinacci book now sitting in pride of place on my bookshelf I shall be raising a glass to Italy’s love of fantastic cuts and superb tailoring on many more occasions.

Celebrity Style: the cape

The cape is one of fashion’s most forgiving – and versatile – pieces. On trend this season, it is perfect for keeping you warm, completing both casual and dressed up outfits and hiding those bits you’d rather people didn’t know you have. With a belt you can use it to emphasise your waist – or without one you can disguise the excesses of the festive season.

Camel ASOS Hooded Military Cape

Check out many of the big brands this season and you’ll be sure to find a cape to suit your style preferences. With everything from plain, grey and black capes – both long and short – to pieces with geometric shapes and splashes of colour, there really is a cape for every occasion. YSL has a version in its current campaign; Asos hodded Military camel cape is certainly worth a look, and Azzaro’s black cape with Swarovski crystals will add a touch of sparkle to your evening outfits.

For a bit of inspiration, you need look no further than our well-styled stars, who have welcomed the cape into their lives – and their wardrobes. I’ve seen Stella McCartney  in a black evening cape, Claudia Schiffer in a ¾-length green wool one worn casually during the day, Lily Allen in a geometric black and white number from LV and Daisy Lowe in a grey wool piece with a hood to keep her warm on a night out on the town.  Victoria Beckham kept it chic with a white belted cape from Martin Margelia.

Of course, this is not the first time capes have hit the headlines – and the window display. I still own one from three years ago, which I purchased at Daniela Besso on Marylebone high street. This wool black and white weave cape – complete with a reversible belt – is great for achieving that chic evening look. I like to wear it with a black fitted trousers tucked into long boots, perfect for the cold A/W weather.

This hasn’t stopped me adding to my own cape collection. I recently invested in a Julie Fagerholt cape that I picked up from Style Junky in Cannes, http://www.stylejunky.fr/.  This striking piece has a real American Indian feel to it with white, blue, red and orange horizontal lines on a black background – and a silver trip around the arm. I also like the v neckline, which shows off polo necks nicely. Another advantage of this cape is that it’s short at the front and back – great for making those legs look longer. I like to wear it with a black polo neck, black skinny J brand jeans and long over-the-knee Dunlop boots –with a black hat and sliver hoop earrings to complete the look. It also works well with long gloves – another of this season’s top trends. If you want to wear an alternative top to a polo neck – like a t-shirt or blouse with short sleeves – long gloves will keep your arms warm.

It’s not often something comes into fashion that is stylish, practical and warm. But, when it does, we’d be wrong not to follow the stars and welcome it into our winter wardrobes.

Joanne Black, Daniel Zakharow & Julia Obukhova wearing Azzaro.

Location: Mount Street at Azzaro’s flagship store
Joanne Black style: black Azzaro fitted dress, with Azzaro earrings and bracelets and Prada shoes

Hosting an evening at Azzaro’s flagship store is like surrounding yourself with all your favourite things. This iconic French luxury brand has been turning heads with its statement dresses and plunging necklines since it was founded in 1968. Back in the 60s it was Loris Azzaro who had the pleasure of dressing and styling the world’s fashionistas; now it’s his protégé Vanessa Seward, who has brought back much of the original glamour and sophistication that made this such a sought-after brand.

You really do have to trust the woman who designed most of Audrey Tautou’s slinky gowns for film Priceless, who is focused on making sure women are noticed every time they step into a room, and who has created Azzaro’s latest stunning collection. With everything from its signature crystal embellishments, lace insets and dramatic bows to its amazing jewellery covered in the collection, it is no surprise most of my clients walked away with a piece of French fashion on the night.

Joanne Black In Azzaro wearing that great little black hat

I, too, was quick to add some Azzaro sparkle to my party wardrobe. I invested in their fab crystal bracelets, a long iconic gown and a cocktail number – which will be making its first outing shortly. I also tried on the most amazing hat. It was so small, but so well crafted – with a veil encrusted with crystal stones – that it would be perfect for Ascot or making a dramatic entrance.

Joanne Black & Alex Bergholz-Gander

So, if you’re looking to celebrate in style this year, check out Azzaro’s latest collection at www.azzaro-couture.com or head to the Mount Street store where Alex Bergholz-Gander the lovely store Manager will show you around.

Cheryl Cole in Wolford Bondage tights

There’s something very fashionable about staying in on a Saturday night at the moment.  This has a lot to do with the fact that singer, songwriter, model and recognised style icon Cheryl Cole is on hand to brighten up our TV screens with her stunning smile and winning wardrobe.  From false lashes and red hair dye to bondage tights, this sexy singer knows a thing or two about setting the trends.  Only last week, Selfridges sold out of its £32 Wolford Bondage tights and has since been inundated with orders after she performed her latest track on The X Factor.

Cheryl Cole in Alexander McQueen

It seems everyone – from teenagers to yummy mummies – is scouring the shops for their piece of Cheryl’s hot style.So important is the Cheryl look, we’ve seen her featured on the cover of British Vogue, Elle and Harper’s Bazaar, and watched as she has picked up a whole swath of ‘best dressed’ awards.  She is also rumoured to have around 18 stylists to help her put the look together, which (if true) reveals just how committed she is to getting her style right.  So what is it about this pop star that makes us all rush out and buy tights that we may never have occasion to wear?   The answer, as evidenced by Vogue.com’s recent style file – which profiles her latest looks – is that we not only like everything she stands for, but we also like all the varied outfits she chooses to stand in.

Cheryl Cole in Herve Leger and Louboutin heels

I say varied, because it’s easier to list the labels Cheryl hasn’t stepped out in.  It would be fair to say she has a preference for Alexander McQueen T-shirts – which she wears with skinny fitting jeans – Nicholas Kirkwood, YSL and made-to-measure Rupert Sanderson shoes, de Grisogono and Stephen Webster jewellery and figure-hugging clothes, which work well with her small but curvy frame.  But, if you looked through her wardrobe, you’d also find short David Koma, Versace, Richard Nicoll and Sass & Bide dresses, long Stephane Rolland, Azzaro and Zuhair Murad gowns, red skinny Citizens of Humanity jeans and leather Balmain jackets – to name but a few.

Beatrice Boyle dress over LNA leggings and Be & D studded bag

Whether she’s on the stage or at the airport, Cheryl knows how to make an impression.  I love the one-shoulder Herve Leger dress she wore on the Danish version of The X Factor – which she teamed with another Cole favourite: Louboutin heels.

Sass & Bide Dress

I love it when she wears edgy short statement dresses, especially the black Sass & Bide dress – with lace detail on the sleeves – which she selected for an appearance on Le Grand Journal.

And I even love the Beatrice Boyle dress she wore on route to LA over LnA leggings with a Be & D studded bag.

Stephane Rolland dress

If I had to choose just one defining Cheryl outfit, however, I’d opt for the bespoke Stephane Rolland gold and black dress she wore for a results show. It was short at the front and long at the back, giving her both a young, edgy look and the chance to show off those wonderfully toned legs.

Julian Macdonald revealing two-piece, Rupert Sanderson shoes

With her daring outfits and sexy style, Cheryl has turned one of the nation’s favourite talent shows into a catwalk runway. And, as someone who likes tuning in for her fashion update, she certainly gets my vote.