Miss Magpie's Met Ball musings

The Costume Institute Gala is every fashion lover's equivalent of Christmas! Hoards of a-list celebs parade the red carpet dressed to the nines in the greatest designs from the greatest designers. This year the theme was 'American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity' - i'm not quite sure how this manifested itself this year, but whatever.

As with any a-list event, there were the highs - amazing displays of beauty and craftsmanship - and the lows - embarrassing, cringey, unflattering monstrosities.

The good:

 Anna Wintour in Chanel

The Vogue Ed is normally pretty predictable, but this is the one event where Anna always pulls the magic out of the bag. I think she looks magnificent in this elegant ruched number. I also love the odd length jacket, which totally enhances this look. 

Emma Watson in Burberry

The girl who can do no wrong...and once again she ticks all the boxes! Flying the flag for Britain, Emma looks like a goddess in this white gown. I love how the extra-long slit makes a bold statement: 'I'm a grown up now!'.

Claire Danes in Burberry

I never really notice Claire much these days, but in this glittering gown, I have to say she looks magnificent. I adore the boned details of the corset and the flowing skirt. In fact, it would be perfect for the wedding I have to attend in Beirut later this month. I wonder if Mr Bailey would lend it to me?!

Jennifer Lopez in Zuhair Murad

Jenny from the block? I don't think so. JLo is becoming somewhat of a red carpet style icon. Ok, she may have gone a bit OTT on this occasion, but when has that ever bothered Miss Magpie?! Bravo.

Nicole Richie in Marc Jacobs

I'm always a sucker for a bit of glitz and this MJ gown hits the nail on the head. Nicole looks so effortless and elegant in this number. I think it speaks entirely for itself.

The bad and the ugly:

 Alexa Chung in Philip Lim

Erm, not quite the elegance and beauty associated with the evening and that whole women wearing tuxedos thing is so over done. Alexa looks like she is about to bring out a red cloth and fight bulls - not exactly befitting the theme of the event.

Gisele Bundchen in Alexander Wang

Beauty will only take you so far love and you've exceeded your limit with this dress. Words just can't describe how vile I find this dress. The scissors shouldn't have just stopped at the fringing...but gone the whole hog!

Kristen Stewart in Chanel

I have never seen Chanel look so horrid. I can't give an accurate commentary without sounding like a very bad person...so I will let you form your own opinions.

Renee Zellweger in Carolina Herrera

Remember how I said that this event was every fashion lovers Christmas? Well here stands before you the gift wrap. Renee really does look like a present wrapped too tightly in gaudy Christmas paper. Oh dear. 

Carey Mulligan in Miu Miu

Carey's relative modesty is just what I like about her, but come on, this is an a-list event where the dresses are meant to do all the talking. Her dress says meek, lacking in confidence and inexperienced. I just don't get it! This was Carey's chance to shine yet she just fades in to the background. Take a leaf out of Emma Watson's book I say.

Chloe Sevigny in Proenza Schouler

I am a big fan of Chloe's individual, quirky style, but just like Carey, she looks just a bit blah. If that dress is the national identity of America, well, the country is in more trouble than I thought. I would also like an explanation for those shoes - Chloe looks like she has horses hooves. Boo.

There you go: Miss Magpie's faves and flops. Some stylists will be back next year, while others will be having a stern talking to. Oh how I love the Met Ball...

Magpie buy

Hola chicas and hopefully some chicos,

Miss Magpie had a divine long weekend in Spain, sampling the many wine and food based delights on offer. Particularly fun was the endless amounts of local Cava being thrown upon us. Yum yum!

But most excitingly, I finally found THE bumbag of my dreams. Who'd have thought that in the little city of Cordoba, I would find a soft, lacquered leather bumbag that would give Marc Jacobs a run for his money?! Speaking of money, at the totally unbelievable price of 17 Euros (about £16) it took me but a split second to decide that it had to be mine!

It's so dreamy!!

Seeing as I was in sunnier climes, I took the opportunity to practise sporting my bumbag for summer:

I quite like the dolled-up '80s sailor thing! I'm wearing a maxi skirt from Topshop that I thought was a dress when I bought it, Topshop Unique heels and my Cordoban fanny pack.

The best things are definitely worth waiting for.

The bum bag revival

Who'd have thought it?! Since my post a few days ago praising the infamous bum bag, i've had a barrage of emails from other fans of the '80s fashion faux pas. Turns out that the bum bag is a popular choice for SS'10. And when you think about it, it all makes sense. It's totally hands-free, guaranteed to never give you shoulder ache and carries all the essentials: Blackberry, digital camera, lip gloss and credit card.

Perfect for summer festivals, days out shopping, a walk in the country...actually, pretty much everything, the bum bag is a stroke of genius! How come we didn't see it that way in the '80's?

Designer du jour and uber trend setter, Marc Jacobs has gone crazy for the accessory, including it in his collections for not only for his eponymous mainline collection, but also for Louis Vuitton.

Marc Jacobs SS'10

At MJ, he opted for the sporty look - a mega trend for the season. I'm totally loving this look!

Louis Vuitton SS'10

At LV, Marc Jacobs resurrected the entire decade with an homage to the massive afros, oversized jackets and waist candy that defined the era...this time though, it does actually look cool!

Another follower of the bum bag, is bling bling designer Ashish, who's SS'10 collection includes this absolute beauty. I think I have died and gone to heaven!

Ashish SS'10

And if you need any more convincing, The Sunday Times Style mag (my favourite weekly read) names the bum bag as a top 10 'lust-have' of the season, in this week's issue.

Plus, the word on the street is that even high-street mum's store, Marks & Spencer, are getting in on the action and have got there own studded version of the bag. Hot on the heels of other high street stores such as Topshop and French Connection, if M&S are taking the risk, the predictions for this nearly forgotten accessory must be that it's going to be a SS'10 smash hit.

Miss Magpie's bag spy

Every fashion week I wait with excitement to see what fabulous bag Mulberry has designed for us. The LFW canvas bag is not only essential (not matter how much I love my 2.55, I can only squeeze so much in), but the only carrier to be seen with right now. I adore this season's animal print version:

I'm guessing you want to know what I fill mine with? I don't often reveal the contents of my bag so count yourselves lucky!

Inside my Mulberry LFW canvas bag is:

1. KG snake skin ballet pumps - just in case the cobbles of Somerset House get the better of me/my heels. Strictly for use in case of emergency.
2. LFW pass - without this, you'll have the doors closed firmly in your face.
3. Tickets - natch.
4. Fur head band - it's February in London, i'll need some way of staying warm whilst queueing for shows
5. The White Masai by Corinne Hofmann - my just-in-case-of-any-downtime book. Needless to say, I haven't even opened it.
6. Canon SLR camera - I'm always a little snap happy, so you can imagine how excited I get at LFW
7. The LFW guide - London is a big city, venues are all over the place, there are hundreds of shows...this is the Bible of everything you need to know. Ever.
8. Moleskine note book - the fash-pack jotter of choice.
9. Spectacles - unfortunately my eyes are getting the better of me and the specs are a necessity. All the better to see you with.
10. Uni-ball pen - the only pen i like writing, scribbling, sketching with.
11. Smythson 'Fashionista' diary (in pink croc) - I never leave home without it. It tells me everything I need to know about my day...and it looks beautiful!
12. Blackberry - I'm hooked. And the British Fashion Council has a special LFW application. I heart.
13. Marc Jacobs umbrella - rain is always on the menu. I like to be prepared as stylishly as possible.

Over and out.