Where: Club Le Baron at 3.14 hotel

Joanne Black catching up with Dina Rosenmeier

Club Le Baron comes but once a year to the shores of Cannes – and with it comes everything that is great about Parisian style and culture. Wearing a beige silk Paul and Joe dress and a lovely necklace designed by one of my clients, Yara Lasytsya, I spent the evening dancing to Debbie Harry, who put on an intimate concert for the crowds.

I even bumped into Dina Rosenmeier, an actress I studied with in the US.

Where: La Plage vitaminwater

Joanne Black taking a break from the sand with Mark Pennell

Ok, so a Marc Jacobs dress, YSL tux jackets and YSL Tribune platforms, isn’t what I’d normally wear down to a beach party, but even those high heels didn’t stop me dancing the night away to the sound of Jim Morrison and the Beatles.

The toilet queue was an unlikely highlight. Communal toilets and a long wait meant plenty of time to strike up some memorable conversations – and admire Peaches Geldof’s tattoos, which worked well with her black rock chic dress.

Fabulous party @ Club Baoli

Where: Club Baoli
Pic: The high life at Baoli Beach

Quentin Tarantino is famous the world over for his superb writing and directing skills – backed up by the private screening I attended earlier that evening. Having seen him on the dance floor, however, I think he may have missed his vocation. Wearing a sparkly short blue number I’d picked up from local designer Peps (great for sexy dresses), with Lanvin sandals and my reliable Sergio Rossi clutch, I did my best to keep up with him. It wasn’t long though before I decided my best move would involve sipping my favourite festival drink – Champagne with ice in a white wine glass (called Piscine).

I certainly learned a lot that night between drinks. My friend Logan Maggio is a wonderful host; Angelina Jolie looks great in nude (Versace Atelier that is), Christopher Waltz (Col Hans Landa) is an incredible actor, and I really need to start a list of ‘stars in need of styling’ (one I can’t divulge obviously). I also picked up a useful fashionista top tip – if you’re going to get air-lifted under the best sign in town, make sure you’re not wearing Lanvins (and you like heights)!

Joanne Black @ Charles Finch Quarterly Review Party

Where: Hotel Du Cap
Pic: Shop talk with the Finch team
Pic credit:Stéphane Feugere

What Charles Finch doesn’t know about fabulous parties and dressing to impress, just isn’t worth knowing. Described as the ‘Cannes-do guy’ by the New York Times, Charles is a great host with a great guestlist – including Mick Jagger, Ralph Fiennes and Rachel Weisz – not to mention an intimate understanding of the good life.

Bellini cocktails and beautiful scenery aside, the Finch Quarterly Review party became, for me, an evening dedicated to fashion. Dressed in Bottega Veneta, with a YSL clutch, mix of necklaces from Bottega Veneta, Yara and Portobello Market, and Links’ NSPCC bracelets, I admired both the looks and the good-looking. Sidney Finch wore a fantastic white L’Wren Scott dress and L’Wren Scott herself donned one of her own white figure-hugging designs – with Mick Jagger sporting a rather striking striper blazer.

When I wasn’t spotting fashion, I was talking about it. First it was men’s styling with GQ Magazine’s Bill Prince. And I even ended up sharing my love of YSL clothes with French-speaking designer Michael Barnes. Thankfully, Michael’s friend and interpreter Pascale was on hand to keep the conversation flowing – otherwise I’m not sure we would have got much further than a ‘bonsoir’ and ‘bon nuit’.

Joanne Black and friend Kelley

Where: House at… Cannes
Pic one: Dressed for dominoes
Pic two: My friend Kelley looks the part in Dolce & Gabbana, with Chanel bag.

The luck of the Irish certainly came in handy at Cannes’ star-studded Domino tournament. Dressed in Duro Olowu, with my favourite Alaia belt, fishnets, boots and a Chanel bag, my friend Kelley and I were treated to a night of French decadence – not to mention a few vodkas served in glasses carved from ice.

Held at The House at Cannes, a beautiful 100-year-old private residence, the tournament proved that Dominoes is popular among the A-listers. Penelope Cruz, who was joined at the charity event by Orlando Bloom and Lily Cole, looked stunning in her white John Richmond dress – even though she was suffering from flu. But it was David Furnish who had the best night – walking away Domino champion, with some jewellery, vodka and sevruga caviar. I’m sure Elton John was pleased!