In the Shade

'King Wardour'

Aside from sneaking into shows, chatting up the fashion journo elite in the press lounge and trying to keep up with the impeccably dressed, trotting along with my camera as they hurried by, I spent a lot of time looking round the exhibition at Somerset House. One collection which particularly struck me was the J Smith Esq A/W millinery display, for each handcrafted piece was made from the finest of fine materials...think mink and muskrat, feathers, beads, lace and fur felt. At once gothic Victorian, theatrical and fantastical, these confections are not for the faint-hearted of fashionistas. Pure couture. Lady Macbeth would do them proud. Indeed, actress Helen McCrory was hatted by J Smith Esq for the premiere of Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland this week, the black veiled number was the perfect mad hatter accompaniment to her Vivienne Westwood dress. Justin Smith will soon be collaborating with Manish Arora ... I anticipate something sensational.

'Queen Compton'

'Goslett'

'Princess Livonia'

My favourite piece, made from iridescent scarab beetle wings.