Caught & Social: Mulberry fashion show attracts forest of stars

Fashion Week has rolled into town, with parts of London suffering outbreaks of air kisses, fashion martyrdom and hollow self-importance. Fashion experts we may not be, but we were taken by the efforts of Mulberry yesterday. The British brand threw a Fantastic Mr Fox-inspired and Woodlandthemed show in the distinctly un-foresty surrounds of Claridge’s Ballroom. It also provided us with this actor-packed front row: from left, Olivia Palermo, Clemence Posey, Kirsten Dunst, Leith Clark, Gemma Arterton, Rebecca Hall, and Rosamund Pike. Also at the front was the rising stage star Benedict Cumberbatch (right) with the Radio1 DJ Fearne Cotton (left) and the Doctor Who actress Karen Gillan.

Je t’aime photo booth

It’s not all just shows at London Fashion Week, there are also more parties than you can shake a Martini at. One of the more exclusive was at the Royal Academy of Art for the launch of the Club Monaco for Brown’s range. Hostess on the night was the French actress Lou Doillon (look familiar? She’s the daughter of Jane Birkin), who got to grips with the instant photo booth. We were pleased to hear that the picture wasn’t just for her mouth, the ones taken of the celebrities were then cut up into collages to be auctioned off for charity.

Scene & heard

Kate Moss is so confident in her design skills that she’s drawing the plans for her own wedding dress. Vivienne Westwood gave the game away when asked about the designs for the big day. “I think she’s designing it herself,”she said. “She has done her own fashion range and knows about clothes. She doesn’t need my help.” Erin O’Connor, right, has been promoting the Model Sanctuary at London Fashion Week, where models hang out and talk to nutritionists and life coaches. A noble idea, but we couldn’t help noticing that Erin’s explanation sounded like it came straight from a business-speak self-help book. She said: “It’s about allowing models to make empowered and selfinformed decisions whilst developing a strong sense of resolve.” Meanwhile, fashion paper The Daily reports that bloggers are complaining that designers are setting their shows in low light and asking models to walk faster in an attempt to scupper pictures being taken on smartphones.

Yasmin’s model attendance

If Fashion Week were judged on attendance, Yasmin Le Bon would be top of the class. The model spent the weekend at the Matthew Williamson, House of Holland, Jonathan Saunders and Maria Grachvogel shows. She also made an appearance on the catwalk for the Issa show, where her husband, Simon (of Duran Duran fame), was on hand to support her.

Legally the best actress

Before fashion fatigue sets in, some other news. Last night, the whatsonstage.com awards hailed the UK’s theatre scene, as voted for by the public. Sheridan Smith was named best actress in a musical for her part in Legally Blonde.

Quick chat

Model and Cambridge University student Lily Cole has hit back at claims she was just given a role in a student production of The Seagull. She tells The Sunday Times: “I auditioned for the part – twice!” She also likes her new brown locks: “I feel more incognito with it dark, as if I’m permanently wearing a hoodie.” Lily, below, was keen to promote British fashion, adding: “If my hat’s knitted by a lovely woman in England, that becomes quite important. It makes me feel better about it.”But what if the woman isn’t lovely, Lily?

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