Back on the Paris runway, we have the YSL show. I must admit, when the rest of the fashion world applauded Pilati for his first collections, I was still a bit hesitant about them. It just wasn’t quite the Tom Ford era YSL style, I associated YSL with (that was the era that motivated me to become a hardcore business woman just so I can wear them!). It’s taken a while, but I think I’m finally warming up to Pilati! I am loving his minimalistic, oriental inspired collection. It is simple, wearable but still feminine and elegant.

I am loving the subtle black prints and the more relaxed but still structured silhouette of the collection, which is still very flattering. The whole super cinched, fitted and tailored thing is getting old. This is modern and refreshing.

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I can’t think of a better, quicker fashion fix than a stylish pair of good quality sunglasses. They cost a mere fraction of a handbag, unlike shoes they take up very little storage space and they can quickly transform any outfit. They’re also quite useful to mask a bad hair day or the aftermath of a good party. My favorite are by Oliver Goldsmith, a venerable British brand that is practically synonymous with 60’s and 70’s cool. I also have a soft spot for Tom Ford’s ‘Anouk’ model (dead ringers for the sunglasses worn by Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s) as well as the sunglasses designed by Bruno Frisoni for Roger Vivier. My love of sunglasses goes back to childhood and are closely associated with some of my favorite movies. In fact, I think it’s safe to say that everything I know about sunglasses I learned from Audrey Hepburn (and perhaps a bit from Anouk Aimee too):

1. Conventional wisdom dictates that if you have a narrow, delicate face, you should stay away from large sunglasses. Ignore conventional wisdom. Just make sure the frames sit securely on the bridge of your nose so they don’t slide down at inopportune moments.

2. If you choose good quality, well-designed frames, you will have them for years to come. I own several pairs of Oliver Goldsmith sunglasses including some are the very same models worn by Hepburn in Two For The Road (1967) and Charade (1963) which the company still produces (I never claimed to be original, OK?). They remain surprisingly contemporary even today.

3. Make sure the lenses are dark enough so that you can ‘people watch’ discreetly. Dark lenses are also useful to avoid eye contact or politely deflect unwanted overtures. On the other hand, they’re also a great prop for flirting should the situation lend itself to that.

4. Always remove your sunglasses indoors. It’s rather difficult to be stylish when you’re stumbling around in the dark. It’s also quite rude. Unless of course, you’re Anna Wintour.

• Founded: in Florence, Italy, as saddlery shop by Guccio Gucci (1881-1953), 1906, after family millinery business failed.
• Company History: Became retailer of accessories, 1923; Gucci shops opened in Florence, 1923; boutiques open in Rome, 1938; firm renamed Societá Anonima Guccio Gucci, 1939; stores opened in Milan, 1951; renamed Guccio Gucci Srl, 1945; New York boutique opened, 1953; opened in Paris, 1963; shop opened in Hong Kong and Gucci Parfums formed, 1975 (renamed Gucci Parfums SpA, 1982); company renamed Guccio Gucci SpA, 1982; appointed Dawn Mello creative director, 1989; Tom Ford joined company, 1990; acquired by Investcorp, 1993; Mello departed and Ford named creative director, 1994; deaths of Mauritzio and Paolo Gucci, 1995; listed on the NYSE, 1995; rival Prada bought stake, 1998; sold stake to LVMH, 1999; Pinault Printemps Redoute acquired major stake and fought off LVMH, 1999; Alexander McQueen defected from LVMH to Gucci, 2000; hired Stella McCartney to create her own line, 2000; designer Nicolas Ghesquiére came to firm with acquisition of Balenciaga, 2001.

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