Joanne Black @ the premiere of The Leopard

Where: Palais des Festivals
Joanne Black Style: Jitrois studded leather dress and Prada shoes

What better way is there to start the 63^rd annual Cannes Film Festival than with a fabulous premiere – the restored Luchino Visconti classic The Leopard / Il gattopardo – and a fashion-filled red carpet?

Dressed in my studded leather dress I was ready to take one of the world’s most famous red carpets. I felt like a movie star posing for the photographers, and it was great being stopped by French TV – they were keen to ask me all about my star style!

There were some wonderful dresses – and glamourous owners – doing a turn on the carpet. Gucci’s Creative Director Frida Giannini stole the show in a Gucci Première full-length, silver strapless gown with draped back detail and embroidered with sliver lace and micro palettes. Salma Hayek looked fab in a silk georgette Gucci Première scarlet one-shoulder gown with a sweeping drape across the waist. And Claudia Cardinale, who starred in the 1963 film gave a graceful performance in a long black Fendi dress and black shawl, which she accessorised with beautiful red diamonds.

If this premiere is anything to go by, us fashionistas are in for a visual feast at the festival this year.

Where: La Plage vitaminwater

Joanne Black taking a break from the sand with Mark Pennell

Ok, so a Marc Jacobs dress, YSL tux jackets and YSL Tribune platforms, isn’t what I’d normally wear down to a beach party, but even those high heels didn’t stop me dancing the night away to the sound of Jim Morrison and the Beatles.

The toilet queue was an unlikely highlight. Communal toilets and a long wait meant plenty of time to strike up some memorable conversations – and admire Peaches Geldof’s tattoos, which worked well with her black rock chic dress.

Joanne Black @ Charles Finch Quarterly Review Party

Where: Hotel Du Cap
Pic: Shop talk with the Finch team
Pic credit:Stéphane Feugere

What Charles Finch doesn’t know about fabulous parties and dressing to impress, just isn’t worth knowing. Described as the ‘Cannes-do guy’ by the New York Times, Charles is a great host with a great guestlist – including Mick Jagger, Ralph Fiennes and Rachel Weisz – not to mention an intimate understanding of the good life.

Bellini cocktails and beautiful scenery aside, the Finch Quarterly Review party became, for me, an evening dedicated to fashion. Dressed in Bottega Veneta, with a YSL clutch, mix of necklaces from Bottega Veneta, Yara and Portobello Market, and Links’ NSPCC bracelets, I admired both the looks and the good-looking. Sidney Finch wore a fantastic white L’Wren Scott dress and L’Wren Scott herself donned one of her own white figure-hugging designs – with Mick Jagger sporting a rather striking striper blazer.

When I wasn’t spotting fashion, I was talking about it. First it was men’s styling with GQ Magazine’s Bill Prince. And I even ended up sharing my love of YSL clothes with French-speaking designer Michael Barnes. Thankfully, Michael’s friend and interpreter Pascale was on hand to keep the conversation flowing – otherwise I’m not sure we would have got much further than a ‘bonsoir’ and ‘bon nuit’.