British designer Galliano made quite an entrance – partly due to having Hollywood star Charlize Theron on his arm and also with his choice of party-wear. The Gibraltar-born style maven, who later addressed guests at the event, chose an eye-catching suit adorned with hundreds of buttons.

Also turning heads in a pair of vertiginous red heels was British model du jour and Big Apple resident Agyness Deyn. Other key fashion players on hand to see new designer Alexander Wang presented with the Fashion Fund award included US Vogue editor Anna Wintour.

The $200,000 cash prize is given to the most promising up-and-coming designer of the past 12 months. This year Alexander impressed judges with his denim-orientated spring/summer 2009 collection, which received rave reviews when it was presented at New York Fashion Week.

In the past, stars like Penelope Cruz, Naomi Watts and Sophia Loren have posed for the Italian firm in glamorous locations such as Majorca and Saint Tropez.

In 2009, though, the images will feature largely unknown beauties roaming amidst animals in the wild. Typical of an approach intended to show how unspoilt the African landscape can be is the shot of a model leaping out of the lagoon, surrounded by water lilies and an elephant behind her.

Shot by Peter Beard, a photographer who’s lived in Kenya for 30 years and is renowned for his interpretations of the continent, the images celebrate “nature as a metaphysical entity”.

The model mum got down and dirty in the sand at an LA park with four-year-old Leni, her daughter by Formula One boss Flavio Briatore, and her little brothers, Henry, three, and one-year-old Johan, from Heidi’s marriage to British singer Seal.

Her off-duty look of a T-shirt dress over shorts was perfect for the family jaunt, while also showing off her fabulous figure.

The German beauty’s million-dollar looks are shown off to best advantage in the new tongue-in-cheek ‘Got Milk’ campaign. In the ad, she appears in a traditional Bavarian dirndl dress and pig tails, encouraging people to drink the white stuff.

Also exploring the huge white UFO structure – which is packed with artwork inspired by Chanel’s iconic quilted handbag – were British New York resident Agyness Deyn and her other half, The Strokes musician Albert Hammond Jr. The couple – who have been dating since June – have yet to comment on reports they’ve secretly become engaged.

Artistic director at Chanel and the man behind the mobile exhibition, Karl Largerfeld, was also on hand at the bash. The shell-like building – which takes a month to install – next heads off to London, Moscow and finally Paris

There was, of course, only one label for the glamorous trio to wear to the event, which took place in a chic Manhattan restaurant – Versace.

As she arrived with her Latin music star husband Marc Anthony, Jennifer’s honed post-pregnancy figure was shown off to perfection in a rose petal-hued dress – cut in the latest trend at the shoulder. Donatella wore a similarly bias-ruched affair in black, while 22-year-old Allegra had opted for a sugar plum-coloured, cap-sleeve affair.

The modish trio mingled with fellow fashionistas such as Chanel’s Karl Lagerfeld at the bash, where honours were also bestowed on Calvin Klein creative director Francisco Costa and Burberry’s Christopher Bailey. Both of whom were named Fashion Star honourees.

Joining leading lights from the style scene were Kate Bosworth, Will & Grace’s Debra Messing.

There wasn’t an animal print in sight as the Florentine master eschewed his usual über-sexy designs for a sweet and sophisticated collection at the city’s fashion week. His creations, the Italian maestro said, were, “light and sophisticated for a woman who speaks with her eyes”.

Flowing striped silk chiffon dresses were the key recommedation for next summer, with the only hint of Cavalli dazzle coming in the sequins embroidered onto the voile. For the very bold, kaftans came in psychedelic greens, yellow and purples.

Brigitte Bardot-style peasant blouses teamed with gaucho trousers and grand tulle ballgowns with corset bodices also featured large.

Flowing togas for the cocktails-in-Saint-Tropez contigent were also in evidence over at Gucci. For daytime the label presented safari suits accessorised with oversize shades and ‘distressed’ leather bags.

And when Gucci girls fancy putting on a little more attitude, they can slip into one of the brand’s skinny-fit suits in sky blue, cobalt or emerald green.

Traditional men’s pyjamas are the inspiration for the designs, which encompassed silk pyjama jackets in red and navy polka-dots styled with ostrich feather and crystal bead skirts. The pyjama top was even presented as the ideal choice for an evening out. In a silvery hue it lent its lines to the top half of a ballgown – teamed with a metallic tulle crinoline embellished with dozens of silk roses, peonies and camellias.

The alternative tack received an enthusiastic reception from front row guests, who also included Dita Von Teese and new parents Matthew McConaughey and his Brazilian model partner Camilla Alves. All moved onto designer Domenico’s golden age-themed 50th birthday party.

At Versace the approach for next season was futuristic, with boxy, spaceman-inspired jackets, the silhouettes of which were textured with gleaming, gold and silver crocodile-style detailing. Another collection highlight was a series of mini-dresses in candy pink, fluorescent yellow and monochrome.

Celebrating a career that spans more than 30 years, friends and family joined the shoe king for a glamorous party in Beverly Hills. The gong marks his contribution to fashion and entertainment and he now has a plaque on the exclusive shopping street, alongside the likes of Giorgio Armani and Tom Ford.

“I haven’t yet digested it totally but it’s a great honour,” says the stylish Spaniard who now lives in London.

Among the stars – all sporting the master’s footwear, of course – paying tribute were Charlie’s Angels actress Lucy Liu, fellow designer Kathy Hilton and Lizzie McGuire star Hilary Duff.

“He’s so chic and sophisticated he’s lovely,” praised Lucy, who teamed her “Manolos” with a stunning black-and-white Giambattista Valli frock. “It’s who he is and he puts it all in his design, into his shoes.”

British fashion house Burberry flew in their own model-of-the-moment, Agyness Deyn, to help present its Prorsum spring/summer 2009 Garden Girls collection.

In it, Burberry’s head designer and keen gardener Christopher Bailey explored romantic creations in an earth-inspired palette, sending softly fluid affairs in varying shades of brown and green down the catwalk; topping off the outdoor look with floppy patchwork hats.

At Dolce and Gabbana, recent chart-topper Katy Perry – who performed at the duo’s showroom, – embodied the nautical theme of the D&G diffusion collection.

Following a red, white and navy blue colour chart, the collection combined stripes, anchor motifs and maritime flags for a classic ‘life on board’ feel. High-waisted trousers were teamed with sequinned captain’s jackets, loose tunics and fitted vests.

Bold colours were the dominating feature at Moschino, too, where garments in vibrant emeralds, pinks and blues were cinched at the waist, while a feminine touch was added to the trench coat with the incorporation of exaggerated bow- and ruffle-detailing.

Colour was also strong on the Salvatore Ferragamo runway, with the prestigious Italian label adopting a bolder palette for its latest collection of billowing gowns, tunics and fabrics in mono-block hues.

Models sashayed down the catwalk in strong feminine designs which followed an East meets West theme with embroidered butterflies and other exotic insect motifs strewn across pastel hues.

Floaty chiffon sarong-style dresses were shown alongside low-slung skirts and beaded vests, while chic city separates, distinguished by trademark Armani simple cuts, were also on display.

For Italy’s other godfather of fashion, Roberto Cavalli, bright and bold colours were the order of the day. Beading, animal prints, ruffles and statement neck pieces made up a vibrant collection for the youth-focused Just Cavalli label.

Also showing in Milan was Moschino’s Cheap & Chic label, where silky oversized flower print smocks and shorts dominated the runway, combining femininity with a splash of colour.