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.

Where: Royal Albert Hall
Joanne Black style: Mage leather dress, Chanel bag, Chopard diamonds and Balmain heels

Mr Gorbachev is a man who certainly knows how to celebrate. So it is no surprise that his 80^th birthday concert was an evening to remember. When I met him just two years ago, I jokily told him that Irish people and Russians both love to drink – although we prefer whiskey to vodka. It seems I am not alone in my observations – Bono made the same connection, choosing a shot of vodka to toast Mr Gorbachev in his video message.

Hosted by Sharon Stone and Kevin Spacey, the concert was a stylish affair. Ms Stone set the standard with a stunning figure-hugging blush pink Christian Dior gown accessorised with Damiani diamonds. I also spotted Goldie Hawn in the crowd – which featured everyone from Arnold Schwarzenegger to Israeli President Shimon Peres. Hawn looked young and cool in a long black gown with matching scarf. Ukranian-born actress Milla Jovovich deserves a mention for pulling off a funky look with her short lace and silk dress.

From my exclusive box, it wasn’t just the style that caught my attention. I was well-placed to enjoy the real highlight of the evening – which came in the form of Dame Shirley Bassey, who brought the house down by singing her classic James Bond song, Diamonds are Forever.

Paris is a catwalk to which all are invited – but only the best-dressed are accepted. This city of chic is perfect if you want to shop, eat (two of my favourite hobbies) and experience the best in women’s fashion. By staying at the Hotel George V – not to mention dining at venues such as L’Avenue and Le Matignon thanks to the owner my good friend Gilbert Costes – I was well-placed to see it all.

Of course, no trip to Paris would be complete without a glimpse of the latest A/W fashion scene. Although the Galliano scandal cast a rather dark shadow over this year’s proceedings, the collections did not disappoint. Here are my highlights:

Show: Chanel
Joanne Black style: Sharon Wauchob trousers, Alexander Wang top, Proenza Schouler Jacket, Balmain boots, YSL bag, Chanel necklace, sunglasses and gloves

Chanel ready to wear will be seeing a lot of me this season. The collection was every bit as exciting as the sensational show opening – think volcanic rocks from a science fiction film and a Chanel logo that opened up like a drawbridge to reveal some rather stunning models.

Once the stage smoke had cleared, we were treated to a much younger themed collection without the usual pretty pastel shirts and jackets. In came the short bolero jackets, flat boots, kitten heels and even a backless black sparkly all-in-one evening number that would rival most gowns on the red carpet. Model Freja Beha Erichsen rocked the runway in a cool street chic look, with rolled up trousers and flat mountain climbing boots. It certainly wasn’t hard to pick out great pieces – it was just difficult to keep track of everyone with all these flat shoes! I nearly missed designer Karl Lagerfield because things were moving so fast.

Top spots include Vogue editor Emmanuelle Alt who was chatting to Kanye West (she wore Isabel Marant canvas boots, which I’d just bought the previous day). It was also good to see Alexa Chung and Lily Allen flying the Chanel flag.

Show: Celine
Joanne Black style: Celine dress jumper, Jitrois leggings, Prada boots and Chanel sunglasses

Automotive interiors and walnut dashboards provided the inspiration for Phoebe Philo’s A/W collection – and what a collection it is! This woman designs the way I like the dress. Philo knows how to make fitted boyish-themed clothes work and her trousers seem to slide on effortlessly.

The year’s warm autumn colours – browns, burgundy, creams, orange, mustard etc – have turned more than a few heads. Up in the front row I spotted the American Vogue team Grace Coddington, Tonne Goodman and Andre Leon Talley wrapped up in a LV blanket. Top photographers Mario Sorrenti and Patrick Demarchelier also made an appearance, reinforcing the appeal of this Brit star’s work.

With Celine in my life, I think my A/W wardrobe is pretty much sorted. I already have a wish list the length of my arm – including a blue, grey and burgundy sweatshirt, a jade green and black silk layered top and some fantastic black trousers. That’s if I have room after buying up the leather burgundy coat and doctor bag.

Show: Martin Margiela
Joanne Black style: Balmain trousers, Joseph top, Prada boots, YSL bag, Isabel Marant earrings and Chanel sunglasses

A bare industrial building behind the Palais de Tokyo made the perfect setting for Margiela’s latest collection. With a dark vibe and models walking down the runway at a pace that would rival a funeral march, it was hard to miss any of the show’s pieces – which were all based on the study of a dress.

It’s amazing what you can create when you start with a dress. A few well-placed cuts, openings and zips – not to mention a range of materials from heavy wool and felt padded fabrics to ponyskin and cashmere – has enabled this fashion house to add new meaning to an often simple piece of clothing. I have my sights set on a plum and red number and will definitely be adding a few of their accessories – including a large leather clutch – to my ever-expanding wardrobe.

Where: The Monaco Billionaire Club

Joanne Black Style: LGB jeans and shirt, Sergio Rossi shoes and Wunderkind jacket

It’s one thing to arrive fashionably late to a party, but it’s quite another to be in danger of not arriving at all! That was the dilemma facing my friends and I after our clutch died on a drive to Monaco for the fabulous DSquared bash. Thankfully though, with five miles to go, it was downhill all the way to Monaco, so we were still able to make a grand entrance!

After wowing the festival with their eyewear launch party last year, DSquared brothers Dean and Dan were in great form as hosts at Flavio Briatore’s club. Once recovered from our ordeal, my friend Olivia Cole and I decided to treat ourselves to a little style spotting. I’d opted for jeans, but Olivia looked stunning in a short LBD – she certainly has the legs for it.

Special style mentions have to go to Flavio Briatore’s wife Elisabetta, who wore a delightful strapless black dress; Boris Becker and his beautiful wife who looked every bit the star couple and Lady Victoria Hervey who stepped out in DSquared.

Where: Koko Club, Camden
Joanne Black Style: David Szeto print dress, Lanvin belt, YSL heels and an Alexander McQueen clutch

With a line-up including Lulu and the legendary Bryan Ferry, you’d think that the ICA’s annual gathering to raise funds for emerging artists would be a night all about the music. And in many ways it was – dancing away to a selection of hit songs is always time well spent. But, for me, it will always be remembered as the night when the best style came from the tablecloths.

This would usually be hard to believe, but when I tell you that Vivienne Westwood was behind the styling, you’ll understand why. With everything from the table line to the flower arrangements designed by Westwood – who looked chic in black with her trademark orange hair –  the Camden nightclub had never looked so good.

Of course, talk of fashion didn’t stop at the tableware. My table was hosted by Mira Anafina of Damiani jewellers, and included tailor Luca Rubinacci who discussed suits – and gave me the opportunity to add in a few of my usual style points. But with guest of honour Charles Finch encouraging us all to buy tablecloths, it wasn’t long before we were back thinking about Westwood’s wonderful prints once more. I purchased a signed cloth in the night’s silent auction, and I can tell you it won’t be going anywhere near the dinner table!