All eyes are on Los Angeles this week as it gears up for its 69th Golden Globes awards ceremony. And, with the parties already underway, it’s not just the on-screen action that’s the talk of the town. Where there are red carpets, there are great outfits, and it was wonderful for me to work with Bethany Joy Galeotti to make sure she looked the part for her big moment.

Having just finished TV show One Tree Hill, Bethany’s brief to me was to help her stand out from the crowd at the Forevermark and InStyle party. And, with the L’Wren Scott dress I selected because it worked beautifully with her natural colouring and body shape, I think we did just that. We had great fun when we met up trying on different looks and, even though I ended up adding some vintage gold earrings, a beige Pucci clutch purse and a rust and gold YSL ring, it was a nice touch that we were able to use her own shoes to complete the look.

Whoever walks away with a Golden Globe this year, the sheer volume of photos of Bethany’s dress online shows that her red carpet performance won’t easily be forgotten. You can watch Bethany in action and enjoy a close up of that striking look.

Or, find out what Bethany thought of her new look by taking a look at her blog

What do Kirsten Dunst, Penelope Cruz, Uma Thurman have in common? No, it’s not the fact they are three beautiful actresses. It’s the fact that when you put them on the red carpet, they do nothing but shine. At Cannes Film Festival, people may remember the winner of the coveted Palme d’Or, but they’ll also remember the dresses that sparkled, the flawless faces and the figure-hugging numbers that played with the imagination. Here are my highlights from this year’s full-filled festival on the French Riviera:

Calvin Klein La Croisette beach party
Joanne Black style: Myla dress, YSL heels and Sergio Rossi clutch
Calvin Klein parties are a magnet for beautiful women – which makes them ideal for a bit of style spotting. There were a number of contenders for the best-dressed crown. Standing out from the star-studded crowd were both actress Vanessa Hudgens, who wore a flashy yellow Calvin Klein dress, and Jessica Chastain, whose on-trend orangey red number with red sandals and a white clutch caught more than a few eyes. Close behind were top model Laura Stone in a gold figure-hugging dress, which she matched with some beach-friendly flats, Clemence Poesy sporting a 60’s-style white mini shift dress and festival judge Uma Thurman in an embellished black dress.

Duran Duran – Belvedere party @ VIP
Joanne Black style: Jitrois leather dress, Alaia belt, YSL shoes and a Chanel bag
Those who go to see Duran Duran in anything other than a rock chic style do so at their peril. This legendary British band is just made to be followed by leather-clad fans in sexy black numbers. With access to the VIP area back stage, I was well-placed to catch all the fashion action. For a second time, Vanessa Hudgens led the way in a stunning black dress and leather jacket – teamed I’d like to add with the same YSL heels I wore! Jamie Foxx also looked cool dressed all in black – perfect for his turn behind the microphone – and jury judge Jude Law was his stylish self in a grey blazer and white T-shirt.

Charles Finch’s 3rd Annual Filmmakers Dinner @ Hotel du Cap Eden Roc
Joanne Black style: YSL jumpsuit and shoes
Find yourself with an invite to one of Charles Finch’s prestigious soirées and you know you’ve arrived. For his guest list is like no other. Setting the style standard, Charles himself was looking as good as ever in a blue shirt and espadrilles from his new brand Chucs. Add Jane Fonda – who wore a dazzling floor-length off-the-shoulder black gown – Mick Jagger and his fantastic designer girlfriend L’Wren Scott (who looked elegant in her own design) and legendary music producer Richard Perry into the mix and it’s not hard to see why the Filmmakers Dinner is still the hottest ticket in town. It was great to see top new couple Emily Browning and Max Irons getting cosy and I also have to mention Tods’ CEO Diego Della, who showed us how the smart/casual look should really be pulled off – wearing a black and white scarf as a tie, with a black shirt (collar standing up), a navy blazer and jeans.

De Grisogono Dinner
& After Party @ Hotel du Cap Eden Roc

Joanne Black style: Roberto Cavalli gown and de Grisogono diamond Earrings
Fawaz Gruosi, founder of de Grisogono, is a man who understands beauty. He also understands that when you mix dinner with diamonds, dancing and daring dresses, your parties become a mecca for sparkling fashionistas. This party was less about the clothes and more about admiring the bodies being shown off by them. Supermodel Bianca Balti, who arrived with Fawaz, has such a stunning waistline, it was nice to see it in a fringed white dress with a cut out waist. Karolina Kurkova also opted for the cut out style, revealing a little flesh with her dark chocolate brown dress. But the beautiful bodies didn’t stop there. With Goldie Hawn (in a beige floor-length silk fish skin effect Alberto Feretti dress), Ex Vogue editor Carine Roitfield in a sexy lace number, Naomi Campbell in full-length gown and Georgina Chapman in a short white piece of her own collection, there were plenty of well-toned and well-heeled wonders to observe. Designer Eva Cavalli also deserves a mention for leaving her dress at home, throwing out tradition and sporting a stylish black tux.

AmfAR Cinema Against AIDS L’Oreal Party @ Hotel du Cap Eden Rock

Joanne Black Style: Lanvin gown
Another party at Eden Roc, another opportunity for Goldie Hawn to show us just what it takes to be a leading lady in the style stakes. Wearing a soft pink Roberto Cavalli one-shoulder gown with diamante round the waist, de Grisogono earrings and a gold Shamballa bracelet, she took centre stage at this stunning event, designed to raise money for AIDS research. Of course, hers wasn’t the only stand-out performance. Also opting for a pale gown with diamante detailing was – the now Princess of Monaco – Charlene Wittstock. Supermodel Karolina Kurkova made an entrance in a short halterneck white Chanel number with gold chains, Gwen Stefani stepped out in a glitzy black halterneck gown with a fish tail and gold belt and L’Oreal model Doutzen Kroes took a turn in an orange mini dress with gold heels, a gold cuff and a blue clutch. And, not to be outdone, the men also gave us something to pour over – actor Sean Penn worked the all-in-black look (complete with skinny tie) and Renzo Rosso sported a trendy tux with a T-shirt and chain.

Everyone that knows me can tell you that on top of being a fashion devotee I’m also fine dining enthusiast. That’s why I was delighted to be chosen as a member of the judging panel of the Menu de Cannes competition.

Cooking for Robert de Niro – president of the 64th Cannes Festival Jury – isn’t an easy task. The Russians and French reached the finals after battling it out with teams from around the world and yours truly was there to choose the winner that would prepare the Jury Deliberation Dinner.

Being a gastronome really helped as I judged the food, table settings, styling on and around the table. I was able to use my experience as a Michelin Star restaurant aficionado and was impressed by the creativity, the flavours and the textures from each team’s menu. I really felt the pressure as I filled my role of panel judge and it was a great experience… Oh and the French team won!

Every year, the south of France becomes the centre of attention for one of the most glamorous events where cinema and fashion seamlessly merge. Cannes Festival is all about cinema, but as a fashion connoisseur, I can’t help thinking of Cannes as more of a fashion extravaganza. Climbing up the red steps in the most beautiful gowns has become an institution and Cannes Film Festival is the ultimate playground to showcase the crème de la crème of fashion.

I spent the whole festival on “La Croisette” and was interviewed while scouting for unique pieces at Style Junky. In this interview, I talk about the latest red carpet trends, fashion faux-pas and the rudiments of a killer red carpet look.

From the red carpet to exclusive parties, Cannes Film Festival is probably one of the most important week in the world of fashion. Designers battle it out to showcase their best designs and actresses outshine each other with elegance and glamour with a little help from divine gowns and magnificent jewellery.

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.

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.