Sharon Wauchob signature piece

Where: Les Beaux Arts de Paris
Joanne Black style: black Sharon Wauchob coat and top, Zadig & Voltaire jeans and Ash boots

You have to be a skilled designer to work with leather – especially when the leather in question is being draped on the body to form a stunning dress – and Sharon Wauchob is just that.

As a lover of black clothes, I knew that Wauchob’s collection would give me plenty of inspiration for my autumn/winter wardrobe. This season there was no room for strings, leather strips hanging down or shards of material – details which have long been associated with Wauchob’s style. But even with a more minimal approach, the distinctive mark of this Paris-based Irishwoman was still very much there – clothes were finely tailored and sexy, leather mini dresses were shredded and bomber jackets looked cooler than ever, with studs and indentations.

The stand-out piece was a beautiful chain mail dress that seemed to glide over the model’s body. For fans of all things daring, Wauchob always delivers.

Joanne Black @ Milan Fashion Week

Where: Milan
Joanne Black style: Wolford body and tights, leather skirt, YSL heels and a Topshop jacket

There was much to talk about as the Fashion Week action switched to the streets of Milan in Italy – not least the exciting line-up of models on the Prada runway, which included Miranda Kerr, Doutzen Kroes, Alessandra Ambrosio, Rosie Huntington Whiteley and Bianca Balti.

The Autumn/Winter 2011 Prada collection was as much about great clothes as it was a comment on what it means to be sexy in 2011. ‘Our vision of what is sexy in women is getting narrower,’ said designer Miuccia Prada backstage after the show. ‘It is all about bows and frills and clichés now. Women can’t seem to give these clichés up.’

You didn’t have to be a fan of shiny heels and sexy black lace, however, to enjoy Prada’s latest pieces. There were plenty of outfits designed to add an interesting twist to everyday office wear. With a mix of 50s-style long-sleeved wool dresses, bell skirts, high necks, A-line hems, cropped jackets, cable knits and patterned tights, Prada was certainly out to prove that the way to be sexy this autumn is to cover up!

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 & Roman Joukovski © Richard Young

Where: Roundhouse, Camden
Joanne Black style: Grey wool Lanvin dress, YSL heels, Alexander Mcqueen clutch and Stephen Webster choker

It is not always easy to survey the style scene when you’re at a sit-down dinner. So, I was quite excited when a smoke alarm went off during the starters, forcing the 1,000-or-so guests to congregate outside.

With Stella McCartney, Matthew Williamson, Kate Moss and Liz Hurley among the diners, there was definitely a lot to see. Liz Hurley looked stunning in a see-through blue/grey sari-style dress and I wasn’t surprised to see her rush inside once the event restarted – she must have been freezing! Host Natalia Vodianova also looked striking in a LV fall 2009 puff ball dress and LV burgundy shoes.

Brief glitch aside, Vodianova’s ball was a huge success, raising over $1 million for The Naked Heart Foundation, which builds playgrounds across Russia. Ruby Wax put in a lively performance as compere for the evening and Leona Lewis looked beautiful as she sang in a rust and gold asymmetrical William Tempest dress with Alexis Bittar bangles.

Issa London Autumn/Winter 2011

Where: Somerset House
Joanne Black style: Jitrois leather leggings, Golden Goose check shirt, black Miu Miu boots, a Brunello Cucinelli cardigan and Prada jacket

Brazilian-born Issa knows how to put on a show. Her star-studded audience – which included Princess Beatrice and boyfriend Dave Clark on the front row – were treated to a collection of leather trousers, beautiful red capes, jersey and stretch wool outfits and wannabe red carpet dresses.

The clothes, however, told a very British story. Prints narrated a day in the capital – among the building and bad habits – and the grey and overcast weather influenced the autumn/winter colour palette. People watching also played a huge part in the designs. Issa describes being inspired by taking a black cab around London – and by watching faces at The Wolseley, Scott’s, China Tang, Annabel’s and Dover Street Market.

As well as fabulous pieces – model Alice Dellal dazzled in a halterneck dress and I already have my eye on the floor-length asymmetric black dress for my upcoming Oscar party – there was some great statement hair on show. Barry Martin and stylist Malcolm Edwards should be applauded for their attention to detail.