When I worked in an office every day I was deeply envious of the women who didn’t. Not because their free time allowed them extended lunches and spontaneous shopping trips, but because they arrived at parties looking immaculate, while I turned up at the same soirees looking smudged and bedraggled.

I would like to apologise to my step-son Michael. About two years ago he walked into the kitchen wearing a bright green zip-up baby-gro. At least that is what it looked like and we all fell about laughing.

The email was polite and succinct. “Dear Brigit, we’ve managed to get you five minutes with Valentino at midday on Wednesday. Look forward to seeing you then. Kind regards…”

I don’t need a reason to shop, but Chanukah is as good as any, and with many of us now buying gifts online, I thought you should have a head start at the Post Office with a few ideas that have a fashion feel. Oh, and as the mother of a five-year-old girl, I make no apology for the selection, but grown-ups will enjoy them too.
Take The Dumpling Dolls (pictured).

There are times When I really love this job. Not because I have a head-start on the season’s trends and first dibs on face creams, but because of the fascinating people I meet. People such as Cameron Silver.

As the only garment in your wardrobe that’s known by its initials, the little black dress holds a unique position in the world of fashion.

The navy blazer, plain white tee and camel coat are all contenders as closet staples, but until they are known only as the NB, PWT and CC, they can never compete with the LBD.

I’ve yet to consult a book of modern manners, but I bet flaunting designer labels in tough economic times is considered a social taboo.

I can’t be sure of course, but there’s bound to be a paragraph that deems parading in Prada as inappropriate during a recession, which is a great pity because there is no bigger fashion thrill than going designer.

I had lots of ideas to write about this week, but then it turned cold and I needed a coat. And not just a coat.

A jacket, some knitwear, a gilet and maybe a scarf and hat. As Brits, we are only too familiar with the transitory state of the weather and though we love discussing it, we also have to dress for it.

For a man, Ronen Chen knows an awful lot about women. And not radicchio-nibbling size zero women who won’t be seen in the same room as a salt-beef sandwich.

Real women who eat, but still want to look streamlined and sophisticated when they are dressed.

With the media heavily focused on the work of established designers during London Fashion Week, it was always too easy to miss emerging talent. Thanks to legendary fashion writer Colin McDowell, that all changed in 2003 when he created Fashion Fringe, an annual award platform that offers new designers the chance to launch their labels in London.