Wintle authentic luxury

Where: Somerset House
Joanne Black style: Sharon Wauchob jacket and trousers, Wolford body, Alaia ankle boots and a Chanel bag

Designer Jsen Wintle can make any man look great. Over the last five years he has established a reputation for creating authentic luxury menswear using hand tailoring, rich fabrics and amazing precision.

Style certainly stretched beyond the catwalk at this show. Sat front row, I had a great view of Jefferson Hack – looking cool in a grey jacket with interesting elbow patches – and Harold Tillman, who was clapping vigorously as a range of the double breasted grey and black tux suits and textured grey mid-length coats came into view.

I loved the velvet and corduroy trousers and the use of brushed, felted, mottled and piled finishes, which gave traditional tailoring a fabulous twist. The limited edition eye wear designed using vintage materials honey horn and mottled German resin also held my attention. Jsen certainly gave us the right balance of preppy, sporty and vintage.

I know what I’ll be dressing my male clients in next season!

Joanne Black loves Paula Laschera's style

As a fan of Lanvin – especially at this time of year with their party dresses and winter holiday bags – I just couldn’t resist selecting Paula Laschera as my style icon for December. She’s the perfect ambassador for Lanvin and here she makes elegance and sophistication look effortless. I love the way she has combined autumn colours beautifully. The brown fox throw is stunning over one shoulder, the brown suede shoes give the outfit a funky edge and the statement clutch brings it all together nicely.

Find out more: www.lanvin.com

Joanne Black with Mira Anafina of Damiani Jewelry Bond Street

Where: Portman Square, London
Joanne Black Style: Amanda Wakeley gown, vintage black fur and bag, YSL shoes and diamonds by Damiani.

On Thursday you certainly didn’t have to be in the Big Apple to experience the perfect New York winter. In fact, as the theme for The Berkeley Square Ball 2009, you only had to go as far as Portman Square.

One of the highlights of the London social calendar, this night of Taittinger champagne, Nobu cocktails and dinner by Britain’s leading Italian chef Giorgio Locatelli – all in support of The Prince’s Trust – did not disappoint.

Thankfully, my table at dinner provided the perfect vantage point from which to soak up the style scene – and what a scene it was! Gwen Stefani arriving with her husband Gavin Rossdale took a rather alternative approach with a neon bra, see-through top, short tweed grey shorts and black opaque leggings – coupled with gladiator style statement heels and a black clutch. And David Haye brought a touch of boxer cool to proceedings wearing a relaxed black jeans and trainers outfit worn with a gold belt, black blazer and open white shirt.

Joanne Black with David Haye

But in the style stakes, the night belonged to Anna Friel. Arriving after a night treading the boards at London’s Theatre Royal, Anna looked stunning in a racy red number, which she wore with a red choker and beautiful brooch. A wonderful white fur, red manicure and delicate silver sandals just made her fitted dress all the more show-stopping! When she’s finished playing style icon Audrey Hepburn at the theatre she should think about becoming one herself!

Joanne Black with Mika

Where: Lanvin Men, Savile Row
Joanne Black Style: Lanvin T-shirt, Wolford body, YSL bag, Sharon Wauchob jacket, Jitrois leather leggings and Sergio Rossi over-the-knee boots.

When great style, great music and great design come together the result is every bit as fashionable as it sounds. Lanvin’s Savile Row store provided the perfect setting for an evening of music (from Mika’s iPod), Marrakesh-inspired cocktails and sharp looking men. Mika’s fashionable following – from British film director Mike Figgis and shoe designer Christian Louboutin to Paul Smith and British Milliner Stephen Jones – were out in force to help him celebrate the launch of his limited edition book Songs For Sorrow, which comes with 4 new acoustic tracks.

Lanvin’s very own designer Alber Elbaz was among those designers and artists chosen to illustrate one of the new songs for the book. His beautiful mermaid – dressed in Lanvin no doubt – was designed to accompany the song Lady Jane and showed just what an accomplished artist he is.

After my fill of celeb style, I snuck away with my complimentary CD to listen to Mika’s new songs. I recommend Toy Boy – it’s very catchy and worth the trip to Lanvin just to hear!