V&A Wedding Dresses: 1775 - 2014

As an early birthday treat from my sister I finally got the chance to visit the V&A's latest must-see exhibition at the weekend. Wedding Dresses: 1775 - 2014 takes you warmly by the hand and guides you through the history of the white (and not so white) wedding - starting with a very wide court mantua, which calls to mind 'here comes the bride more than 40 inches wide', and ending with more current creations by Vera Wang, Vivienne Westwood and Jenny Packham . With 70 dresses on display there are more highlights than I can mention, but I'll try.

If anything can challenge the view that once you've seen one white wedding dress, then you've seen them all it's this exhibition. There's a huge variety on display depending on the bride's personal style as well as her status before you even start to consider the zeitgeist. But that's not to say there's not a running theme when it comes to wedding dresses. The late 19th Century saw the medieval revival that has given us the princess dress - so it would appear that fairy tale meringues are not a product of the 1980s after all. The idea of looking to the past for a wedding dress has been with us longer than that.

In contrast a couple of dresses from the 1930s could have passed for much more modern creations. One in particular with wide lace sleeves and 18ft train by Norman Hartnell has more than a hint of 70s hippy chick about it.

Of course, I was expecting tiny waists from the early dresses, but what surprised me was the bridal footwear. The shoes were larger than I'd envisaged - showing the wearers had long and narrow feet.

Not every dress will have you swooning - be warned there are some shockers. A space age silver collared coat from the 60s now looks like an Austin Powers costume even though it must have been cutting-edge at the time. And then there's an embroidered dress coat and pointed gold headdress that we are told were designed by friends of the bride - one has to wonder if they remained friends afterwards!

Upstairs it's onto the celebrity dresses, with gowns borrowed from Dita von Teese, Lisa Butcher, Gwen Stefani and the Duchess of Cornwall. Camilla's Anna Valentine dress coat looked a darker shade and the gilded Philip Treacy headdress appeared smaller but no less impressive. However, for me the highlight had to be seeing Kate Moss' Galliano dress in the flesh. The detail is so intricate it took 710 hours to sew on the 120,000 sequins and the effect is stunning.

Wedding Dresses: 1775 - 2014 runs at the V&A through until 15th March 2015, so if you get chance to go I'd definitely recommend it.

Kate Moss for Topshop on Sale

We'd had a long, long wait for this collection, so who'd blame you if you went into a shopaholic frenzy when Kate Moss's latest range for Topshop finally launched? I certainly wouldn't - but please don't cry when I tell you many of the styles are now in the sale. Prices now start from as little as £20 for a paisley chiffon scarf or cute cami top. And what's more, alongside those best-selling boho kaftans and sparkly jackets is this sherbet lemon chiffon dress modelled on a vintage style worn by Ms Moss on a night out in New York back in 2003. With more than 50% off I make that more money to spend on champagne!

Kate Moss One Shoulder Chiffon Dress, WAS £85 NOW £40

Kate Moss - Fabulous at 40

Yesterday Kate Moss hit the big 4-0, but I still can't quite believe a whole decade has passed since her debauched 'Beautiful and the Damned' themed 30th hit the headlines. This time around Kate opted for a low-key lunch at 34 in Mayfair, and arrived looking fabulous in one of her signature leopard print coats. How does she do it? Anyone else would run the risk of looking like Bet Lynch - but not Kate, oh no. Bets are on they emerged somewhat bleary-eyed later on, but aren't Kate Moss and Jamie Hince just the most stylish couple ever? I certainly think so. Happy Birthday Kate!

Kate Moss' Miss Whiplash Moment

Do you reckon Kate Moss has been reading Fifty Shades of Grey? I think she's more of a The Beautiful and the Damned kinda gal myself, but either way it certainly looks like she's developed a penchant for whips! This is the second time in as many months Kate's been spotted sporting this whip in hand belt. I don't know where she found it but I'm hoping something similar will feature in her new collection for Topshop.

Yes, that's right - if you haven't already heard Kate Moss has been welcomed back into the Topshop fold with wide open arms. After a three year break, Kate is set to return with a new collection for the high street giant in April 2014 and speaking of the partnership Philip Green said: "I am personally thrilled that Kate wanted to come back to Topshop to work with us again. The first time around was such a lot of fun, and she has been sorely missed". Here, here! In my eyes Kate can do no wrong - but maybe that's something to do with her being a fellow Ms Moss.

A Midsummer Dream

Vogue have finally published the photos we have been waiting for... and what stunningly beautiful photos they are! Mario Testino's soft-focus shots of Kate Moss and Jamie Hince's wedding day capture all the magic and romance of the occasion - appearing more like scenes from A Midsummer Night's Dream.





















Kate herself wanted to recreate the decadence of the roaring '20s, and tasked her long-time friend John Galliano with the job of designing the all important dress.

Needless to say it has been a difficult year for the designer since his arrest back in February, but he told US Vogue how work on Kate's dress had helped him: 'She dared me to be John Galliano again. I couldn't pick up a pencil. It's been my creative rehab.' The exquisite outcome was inspired by the Jazz Age photographs of novelist Zelda Fitzgerald. The whole effect is quite simply beautiful.

Kate's Final Collection for Topshop

It really doesn't seem that long since we were all queueing around the block, eagerly waiting to get our hands on Kate Moss' much hyped first collection for Topshop when it launched back in April 2007. It seemed like a dream collaboration - who wouldn't want to dress like Kate Moss, everyone's favourite supermodel / style icon, and on a High Street budget?! But alas, all good things must come to an end, and today sees the launch of Kate's last collection for the High Street giant. Promotions on the website promise pieces to 'set your heart aflutter' - and I'll tell you now, she certainly doesn't disappoint. Expect no less than Kate at her boho best.

There is a strong 70s influence behind the collection, which is full of maxi skirts, smock dresses and capes - not to mention some gorgeous vintage inspired jewellery. Many items are limited edition - so you'll have to get in quick!

Alongside the new A/W '10 line sits Kate Iconic - a collection of 10 reproductions which were all sell-out pieces selected from her 14 past collections for the store. The range includes my favourite red pansy print dress. If you missed out first time around, now is your chance. These items are destined to become collectors' items.