Rihanna reigns supreme

It'll come as no surprise that Miss Magpie is totally and utterly fascinated by songstress extraordinaire Rihanna (I think I may have sung her praises a few times before), but after seeing Rihanna's latest concert last night, I was left completely balled over by her talent, energy, charisma, passion and style. She really does have the x-factor...and a hell of a lot of shoulder pads! [N.B. Before you accuse me of being fickle, I still stand by my Fergie lady crush, Rihanna is more of an idol to me]

Since the power hungry bouncers at the O2 confiscated my camera (I was not a happy girl), I had to rely on my shockingly bad Blackberry to take pics. Needless to say, they were rubbish. Thanks be to the powers of technology for the following snaps:

 The entrance to beat all entrances

Wearing a black ball gown lit up with red LED lights, Rihanna shone like the star she is. It was truly spectacular...and something I think worth road testing. Watch this space.

The power leotard

Donning a sparkling pink leotard with mega shoulders, Minnie Mouse hat and sparkling army boots, Rihanna straddled this bright pink tank...as you do. A political statement lurking in there methinks, but Miss Magpie was much more excited by the level of sparkle and dress up going on (and don't you think the tank is the perfect back garden accessory?). Love it.

A saucy interlude

A sprayed on black PVC cut-out catsuit? Frankly I would have been disappointed had Rihanna not worn one. At this point I saw parents covering the eyes of their gawping sprogs (note to Rihanna's producers - an age rating may have been a good idea), but as a fully fledged adult, I could stare as much as I wanted. And stare I did. Wow - slut chic taken to a whole new level.

 Reaching for the skies

As the show notched up the sex-factor, Rihanna peeled off her catsuit and challenged her own PB in the height of her shoulder armour. A transparent, ruched shoulder piece...not my fave of all her looks, but you've got to love her daring. Speaking of daring, bondage acrobatics anyone?

Caged animal

Surely taking inspiration from the YSL cage shoe (?), Rihanna had Miss Magpie weeping with joy with this number. Extending down one leg and erupting in a bulbous shoulder on the opposite arm, this caged catsuit was a stroke of genius. Perhaps not one I will be attempting to recreate...but some serious snaps for Rihanna. As for the Elton John-esque glasses...i'm sitting on the fence.

The finishing touch

Coming back to perform 'Umbrella' (which has now been stuck in my head for 12 hours) Rihanna certainly didn't want to be forgotten (as if). Wearing a sculpted monochrome, mega structured shoulder construction (the punch bags hanging off each shoulder were questionable) with sparkling thigh high boots, Rihanna emblazoned herself on Miss Magpie's memory. Job well done.

And that, my lovely Magpie followers, is why I am so obsessed with Rihanna-anna-anna-eh...

Planes, trains and automobiles

Who'd have thought a little trip to the chic fashion capital of Milan could end up in such mayhem?! There I was, thinking i'd do some work, a lot of shopping and some amazing people watching (purely for the enjoyment of my dear Miss Magpie fans). Here's what actually went down:

- Hours spent working: 12
- Hours spent sourcing travel back to London: 12
- Hours spent at the police station reporting my stolen camera: 3
- Hours spent on a coach from Milan to London: 24
- Hours spent sleeping: 4
- Hours spent shopping: 0
- Inappropriate outfits: 2 (imagine having to wear a PVC pencil skirt and denim body on a 24 hour coach journey - it was that or a super mini dress with a skin revealing draped back and giant corsage headband!)

I was there helping to organise an event for Wallpaper* and Brioni at Salone del Mobile (the fashion week of interiors). Boy was this trip jinxed. And I don't even have any photos for you! Can you believe that some a-hole at the Four Seasons stole my camera from my 2.55 (why they didn't take the bag too is a mystery - but hell, i'm not complaining).

All I can say is that it was not glamorous (although as the door bitch for the party, I did get to have some fun), there was no time for retail therapy and no one had enough underwear for our unexpectedly extended trip. Oh dear.

The Wallpaper* Salone Express - Milan to London in 24 hours. Surely the chicest way to travel in these volcano hit times.