THE WEEK IN FASHION: NOVEMBER 12th-16th

Posted by Bethan Holt, Fashion Junior at Large

It's fashion news Friday once more, let's delve into the big stories you need to know about this week...

Last night saw London's most glamourous descend upon 50 St James for the launch of Kate: The Kate Moss Book. The party was hosted by the inimitable Marc Jacobs while Nick Grimshaw and Queens of Noize provided the musical accompaniment. Ms Moss was looking the ultimate version of her legendary self; all mussed up long hair, gorgeous pout and super glamourous Jacobs gold dress. Most fabulous fact of the evening? The cocktail created in Kate's honour Kate 76; a Veuve Clicquot and CIROC Vodka concoction. Earlier in the day, the superdupermodel signed copies of the book at the Bookmarc store in Mayfair.

Signing session at Bookmarc, via @THELOVEMAGAZINE 

Smoking hot Kate Moss and Marc Jacobs (image via Vogue.co.uk)

Kate by Camilla Akrans from the Kate Moss Book (image via vogue.co.uk)

So we've been through the elation of Raf Simons' Dior appointment, the patient waiting to see what he do and the falling in love with his new Dior direction- anyone else dreaming of an iridescent ballgown skirt? Now US Vogue have a major profile on the Belgian boy and it's very much worth a read. The central gist of the piece is that Simons is an incredibly down-to-earth, sweet man who is thus able to handle the immense pressure of going into Dior given the colourful recent history of the house. He tells Mark Holgate, "What I find amazing is that it’s a beautiful house where I can make clothes to make women happy. I was raised in a very happy nest by very happy people, and I like to think that those are enough ingredients to make me succeed at Dior."

Raf Simons and his new Dior (images via vogue.com)

Excellent news... we will all be able to buy the Chanel hula hoop bag! Well, you will if you start saving your pennies now, £1,500 to be precise.

Lagerfeld with the giant Chanel hula bag. The commercial version will be a miniature size (image via @derekblasberg)

At the CFDA awards this week, Greg Chait was awarded the big prize of $300,000 to grow his knitwear brand The Elder Statesman. Meanwhile, Tabitha Simmons, US Vogue contributor  and new footwear favourite, and jeweller Jennifer Meyer scooped the runners-up awards $100,000 each. It was a somewhat surprising choice of winner which meant that slightly better-known young labels such as Wes Gordon missed out on funding, though perhaps the panel felt that if you're already dressing Michelle Obama then you are doing rather well anyway.

Tabitha Simmons, Jennifer Meyer and Greg Meyer celebrate their CFDA/ Vogue Fashion Fund awards (image via cfda.com)

If you happen to be planning a trip to China at the beginning of next year then be sure to make time to visit Chanel's new exhibition which will be housed at the Zaha Hadid designed Guangzhou Opera House. The event will celebrate Chanel's links with the arts, including the costumes she designed for  ballet 'Le Train Bleu'. Picasso's scenery which he created for the production will be the exhibit's centrepiece. China seems to be getting all the luck when it comes to the "Culture Chanel" series, please can we get some Chanel culture in London?

Zaha Hadid's Guangzhou opera house, the scene for the latest Chanel exhibition in China (image via wad.com)

Back to London, and a pair of designers we are VERY lucky to have in our midst. Quirky hat designers Bernstock Spiers are celebrating the 30th anniversary of their Brick Lane based-label with an exhibition of their iconic styles, including the signature bunny caps which sum up Thelma and Paul's fun and irreverent attitude perfectly. The show is on at Fred [London] gallery until 24th November and includes the opportunity to get your hands on an exclusive version of the bunny cap as well as 80s Bernstock Spiers films, hat installations galore and images of London's finest in their Bernstock Spiers.

A rainbow of bunny caps by Bernstock Spiers 

PUT IT IN YOUR DIARY... Grace Coddington will be signing copies of her new memoir at Browns next Thursday from 12.30 to 2.30. Let's go! If you're not already incredibly excited about this, then read the excerpt published recently in US Vogue. It's amazing.

Yet another fun thing to do for Christmas shopping/ Christmas shopping avoidance would be to visit Bella Freud's new pop-up shop at Bicester Village which will be open until the beginning of January. Get yourself a gorgeous Freud knit and one of her new range of scented candles. Find out more about Bella's fabulously interesting life and fashion philosophy in this interview she gave The Telegraph.

Bella Freud with Kate Driver, Jeanne Marine and Laura Bailey at the launch of her Bicester pop-up

This is so great from The Guardian, all about how Bridget Jones would dress now. In celebration of the news that Bridget Fielding is working on a third Bridget tome but also a rather apt reminder of the fashion times.

Bridget's early noughties bunny tart look

There are two lovely films to round off this week. First up is the first instalment in a series of 3 detailing the behind the scenes story of the forthcoming Valentino: Master of Couture exhibition at Somerset House.



And yet more Chanel, the story of No.5 and Marilyn Monroe. Divine.