Saffron Tones, London

Asymmetric & Stripes, Covent Garden, London

Sometimes, a sharp haircut really makes the dress. Akiko wears asymmetric striped dress & accessories, all by Cos...possibly one of my favourite stores on the highstreet.

Grazia's Angela Buttolph in "The" Skirt

So its only fitting that fashion journalist extraordinaire Angela Buttolph should wear one of this season's key pieces...but the pure highlighter pink, the pleats...the sheer playfulness of the Whistles Carrie skirt that I have been lusting after for how long now? I've still not managed to bag one in my size but I will keep searching and keep hoping.

I adore the way Angela has paired it with a simple white T, allowing the fabulous skirt to be just...well, fabulous!

An Afternoon with Ben de Lisi

I had the pleasure of meeting the wonderful Ben de Lisi yesterday afternoon. Famed for his timeless and elegant dresses, the afternoon was set in an equally elegant setting in London's The Ivy. I was invited as Ben was showcasing his fourth collection for Principles as relaunched by Debenhams a year ago.

The collection for high summer has been designed using a neutral and monochrome colour palette and then infused with bold purple and orange accents. As well as key weekend-wear pieces, the collection has some classic smart day-wear...the type of staples that will complete your summer wardrobe and that will allow you to accessorise perfectly. However, don't think of accessorising to much...well, not according to the fashion connoisseur himself. Ben and I talked fashion tips, trends and even Kate Middleton's wedding dress. Here's what he had to say...

Exsoteric: You originally studied sculpture at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn. What made you decide to make the transition into fashion?

Ben: For me it was just switching the medium. Whether you're sculpting in stone or fabric, its a similar sensibility but with fashion I sculpt using the female form as opposed to alabaster.

Exsoteric: What are your top three tips for a woman getting ready to go out?

Ben: Never over accessorise, don't buy anything with mediocre detail - instead buy something that has one focal, flawless piece of detail and don't underestimate the power of looking simple and effortless

Exsoteric: Which highstreet brands do you hold in high esteem and which are translating key trends most successfully?

Ben: Principles by Ben de Lisi of course as the range is elegant and classic whilst being designed for the modern woman. I think highstreet brands should focus on key pieces with a twist as opposed to following trends. Cos and Banana Republic do this so well and I don't even consider them as highstreet brands as such.

Exsoteric: Are there any celebrities you have yet to work with and who you would love to dress?

Ben: Absolutely - Julianne Moore, Kristen Scott Thomas and Sandra Bullock

Exsoteric: You've just listed three very timeless beauties. Does that encapsulate your whole design ethos?

Ben: Exactly

Exsoteric: And finally - if you were (or indeed are) to design a dress for Kate Middleton, what would it look like and why?

Ben: I did actually sketch for Kate but the designs weren't published. The dress was modern but also celebrated the pageantry of the day. A fitted bodice to accentuate her long figure. The bodice was covered in French ribbon which was frayed and knotted to give it a really modern but classic twist

View the whole Principles by Ben de Lisi collection here 

My Evening with Karl Lagerfeld

So...possibly the most glamorous event of 2011 (apart from my wedding that's coming up in August of course!) I had the pleasure of going to Paris yesterday as creative genius, Karl Lagerfeld unveiled his hottest collection yet for Diet Coke. Celebrities from Lily Cole to Lou Douillon attended the glam event at Le Georges at the Pompidou Centre in Paris.

But it was seriously a stylish trip from start to finish, from our plush carriage on the Eurostar, settling in to our rooms of the boutique L'Empire hotel to kicking off the night with a scrumptious dinner at Kong (as in THE Kong restaurant featured in the Paris episodes of Sex and the City!)

I've had 3 hours sleep, have the most horrendous bags under my eyes but it was SO worth it!

Lily Cole and the creative genius that is Karl Lagerfeld

Giant versions of the Diet Coke bottles designed by Karl himself

Dinner at Kong restaurant pre party with Emily from Fashion Foie Gras and Pat from Cosmo.co.uk

Hold the front page...photographic proof that karl Lagerfeld has his own Diet Coke butler!!