Joanne Black @ Serpentine Party

Where: Hyde Park
Joanne Black Style: Sharon Wauchob dress with Arthur & Fox tux jacket, Donna Karan sandals, a vintage bracelet, a belt by Martin Margiela and hair and manicure by Fred Gielly’s salon.

Summer parties don’t get much better – or more stylish – than the Serpentine’s annual soirée. Set in Hyde Park around the gallery’s latest pavillion – designed this year by leading Japanese architects Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa – this is the summer event to which everyone wants an invite.

After a few weeks of brilliant blue skies, I was even expecting the sun to put in an appearance. But it didn’t take long to realise I’d have to rely on the other guests to add a splash of colour to proceedings. And with around 1,000 outfits to admire, I wasn’t disappointed. The Serpentine attracts such an eclectic audience that it was never going to difficult to spot some stunning stand-out – and often daring – pieces. With everything from Rubinacci to Topshop on display, it felt at times like I was window-shopping rather than sipping wine in one the city’s Royal parks.

Thandie Newton looked fantastic in a multi-coloured tie-dye dress and skinny gold belt with cut-away ankle shoes and a blue leopard-print clutch; Daria Zhukova wore a stunning cream Alaia dress and belt with funky gladiator shoes, and Erin O’Connor opted for a spruce green Grecian-style Donna Karen dress, which really complemented her height and body shape. But it was rapper Pharrell Williams who stole the show with his equestrian-style outfit – complete with a white polo shirt, trimmed beige jacket (and matching hat) and blue jeans tucked into brown riding boots. Even without the horse, he pulled it off.

By the end of the evening, I was actually glad the sun chose not to show up. It meant I got to enjoy model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley’s cropped jacket from Topshop – that worked well with her violet maxi dress – and Luca Rubinacci’s fab slipper shoes, which he told me are too hot for Milan but perfect for London.

My only regret is that I didn’t get the chance to ask Tim Jeffries how he still doesn’t look a day over 40. I certainly need to find out his secret – and I’m positive the answer doesn’t lie in my current face cream!

When: 16 June
Joanne Black Style: Sharon Wauchob dress with Jitrois belt, YSL silver tribune heels, YSL clutch and Philip Treacy pink hat.

Joanne Black @ Royal Ascot

Those who think Ascot is about horse racing and Champagne, obviously haven’t been to Ascot. This is an event that would perhaps be best described as a catwalk show in a car park. I say car park, because I seemed to spend most of my day in one.

Firstly, I had to act my way into the car park reserved for jockeys and trainers by pretending to be a jockey’s wife. (I think the BMW Z4 green sports convertible I was

driving played an important part.) And then, after doing my turn on the racing catwalk, I was straight back to another car park for the after-party – where I met legendary Irish folk singer Paddy Reilly, the man behind The Fields of Athenry.
Thankfully, I did manage to leave the tarmac behind temporarily and find my way to Paddy Power’s private box. It was the perfect place to soak up the racing style scene, catch up with friend Kelley and the Bourke family – who had invited me for the day – and see my horse come in last (so much for the luck of the Irish!).

Joanne Black with friends

Paddy’s wife Sabena Power – dressed in a white Armani suit, Philip Treacy hat, Chloé shoes and great bag by Zagliani – was a charming hostess. Daughter Tessa Power wore a beautiful navy blue dress by Marc Jacobs; Kelley’s mother Mary opted for a stunning pink suit, Philip Treacy hat and vintage diamond necklace, and regular racegoer Chanelle McCoy – wife of champion jockey Anthony McCoy – looked elegant in a white fitted Amanda Wakeley suit, with a red satin Luella bag and patent LK Bennett shoes. Her hat was a fabulous red and white Robin Hood inspired creation, complete with pearls.

I did pick up a useful racing fashion tip on my day out – always remember to check the dress code before you decide what to wear. My Sharon Wauchob number was a little on the short side for the Royal Enclosure and left my shoulders exposed (two rules broken). Losing the belt and borrowing Kelley’s fur, however, transformed me into a respectable race-goer fit for a Queen!

Where: ICA Figures of Speech Gala
When: 26 March 2009
Joanne Black style: Sharon Wauchob black dress (Autumn/Winter 09), with Alaia belt, patent leather gloves and a Sergio Rossi Clutch

Caught in Vogue’s Spy spread – just goes to show black will always be a fashionable choice.

Guests were wearing black like it was going out of fashion at the fabulous ICA fundraiser. Sydney Finch looked chic in Prada and Bianca Jagger made great use of accessories to go with her elegant black number – wearing emerald and diamond earrings paired with timeless pearls. As usual, I added my own ‘Black’ style, but it was good to see Yana Peel (wearing Duro Olowu) and our very own Marketing Director Jacqui Wales bring a splash of colour to proceedings.

With Alan Carr as host, it was always going to be an evening filled with laughter – and a few surprises. Little did I know when I sat down in the venue’s black and gold Porter Tun Hall that I be treated to a rendition of The Who’s ‘My Generation’ by Bob Geldof – on a Ukulele – or hear Janet Street Porter discussing the merits of shower caps (especially when I tell you speakers had been asked to bring something they treasured more than anything else).

I have to say, the after-party was a real highlight – although I’m still convinced DJ Henry Holland’s hair didn’t actually move throughout his entire set. My one regret of the whole evening is that I didn’t have chance to get my picture taken with HRH Queen Elizabeth (or should I say an Alison Jackson look-a-like) and her beautiful corgis. They were so beautiful in fact that had my dog Jinky been there, I am not sure I would have made it to the dinner.

My favourite ‘winter’ colour, a whole host of fabulous dresses and £180,000 raised for the ICA’s education programme – who could ask for more?