Love her or hate her, you can’t deny that Victoria Beckham is gaining an increasingly strong influence in the fashion world.

According to the Daily Mail, her latest collection of designer dresses made its debut during the past weekend at an event so exclusive that only two dozen people were in attendance.

The fourth collection from the woman formerly known as Posh Spice was inspired by late choreographer and dancer Martha Graham, as well as classic comic book character Dick Tracy.

Models strutted down the catwalk sporting sunglasses from Victoria’s DVB label and each dress was paired with co-ordinating skyscraper heels for the full Beckham look.

"I feel the clothes express how my own personal style has evolved, more relaxed, a little more slouchy, but still structured," she commented.

The Daily Mail noted that the Hollywood A-list is likely to love the latest red carpet-friendly designs - and we here at Secret Sales HQ are inclined to agree.

I’m particularly keen on a classy belted knee-length number in teal - Hollywood glamour galore!

What do you think of the latest styles from our favourite British girl in LA?

After the shocking news of the designer Alexander McQueen’s apparent suicide broke yesterday, tributes have been flooding in from around the world.

"I am truly devastated to lose my close friend," Naomi Capmbell told Vogue.com last night. "I will miss him so much, he will never be forgotten."

Anna Wintour, US Vogue editor has praised his ability [to bring a] " uniquely British sense of daring and aesthetic fearlessness to the global stage of fashion. In such a short career, Alexander McQueen’s influence was astonishing — from street style, to music culture and the world’s museums. His passing marks an insurmountable loss." She continued by branding him as "one of the greatest talents of his generation."

Following the loss of his close friend and mentor, Isabella Blow, when she purposefully swallowed weed killer in 2007, McQueen was said to be left reeling after the death of his mother, Joyce, last week. In a somewhat poigniant interview as part of Sam Taylor-Wood’s guest editorship on the Guardian’s Culture supplement, Joyce was asked to interview her son. when asking about the time he spent in his cottage in the country, McQueen responded by saying "It gives me a peace of mind Mum. Solitude and a blank canvas to work from." Quick firing and witty, the interview highlighted how close the pair were. 

Born in east London, McQueen’s humble roots (son of a cab driver, Lee Alexander McQueen was the youngest of six children) have been well documented. After leaving school at 16, McQueen trained on Savile Row’s Anderson and Sheppard, followed by Gieves and Hawkes. After stints in Italy and Japan, McQueen returned to London in 1990, hoping to find work as a pattern cutter tutor at the prestigious Central Saint Martins. Bobbie Hilson, founder-director of the post-graduate fashion course told the Independent "To have left school at 16, studied on Savile Row, gone to Italy alone…that was incredible. He was also technically brilliant, even though he’d never actually studied design." Hilson instead offered him a place studying at the college. It was his degree show in 1991 that led to him meeting Isabella Blow, who bought his entire collection after seeing his designs. “I bought one thing a month and paid him £100 a week. He’d bring an outfit in a bin liner, I’d look at it and then he’d come to the cashpoint with me.”

McQueen went on to become one of Britain’s most influential, and controversial, designers. His infamous A/W 1995 show, entitled "Highland Rape," depicted models staggering down a bracken strewn catwalk in torn dresses led to claims of misognyism. McQueen hit back by claiming his designs strengthened women, as opposed to victimising the.

Four time winner of the coveted British Fashion Awards British Designer of the Year, McQueen succeeded John Galliano at Givenchy in October 1997 until March 2001. Part of the Gucci Group, McQueen’s label has been part of their impressive portfolio since 2002.

As well as all of the heart felt tributes, it is Colin McDowell’s that seems the most hauntingly accurate: "Alexander McQueen’s suicide is a tragic reminder of the vulnerability and insecurity felt by all creative people."

Nicole Kidman has not had much luck on the red carpet recently. Her makeup mishap at the Nine premiere was splashed all over newspapers and magazines and her bra-less ensemble at the Golden Globes certainly caught people’s attention.

This week (January 25th) she has received mixed press about her appearance at the Screen Actors Guild Awards.

Sporting a designer dress by Oscar de la Renta, the 42-year-old actress looked as though she had taken a step back in time with her curly auburn locks. Comparisons have been made to red carpet appearances when she was an aspiring actress with a similar hairstyle and she certainly looked youthful.

However, her Aztec-style strapless dress with layered gold embellishments has been praised by some fashion critics and hated by others.

The Daily Mail quoted one as saying: "Nicole Kidman might be wearing silk by Nina Ricci, but she looks as though she has been shopping in Debenhams."

On the other end of the spectrum, Marie Claire stated: "She certainly won our vote in the style stakes."

She completed the outfit with a gold jewelled necklace and beaded bracelets.

What is your verdict on the Nine star’s outfit? Did she stand out for you?

Who do you think of when I say to you iconic actress, style icon, and real-life princess? There can’t be many names that spring to mind other than the late and great Grace Kelly.

The starlet and wife to Prince Rainier of Monaco, Grace will become the focus of a new exhibition set to open in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London in 2010.

Her wardrobe will go on public display allowing us a glimpse at the designer dresses and couture fashion that the 1950s, Oscar-winning actress wore during her films, in real life and to high profile events as Princess Grace of Monaco.

Among the designer dresses to be shown at the gallery will be pieces from the likes of Christian Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, Cristobal Balenciaga, Coco Chanel and Hubert de Givenchy’s couture houses.

The exhibition will be divided into different sections which will span four decades.

Fashion director for the Telegraph Hilary Alexander says: "The final section will illustrate her growing sense of style as fashion and culture ambassadress of the principality, and will include many couture gowns created for official royal engagements, such as the purple Yves Saint Laurent, worn in 1981."

Grace gave up her acting career once she became a princess. She left behind a legacy of 11 films.

Will you be attending the exhibition?

I do have to admit that here at the Secret Sales office we do enjoy critiquing the designer clothing choices of celebrities when they dress up for a red carpet event.

However, The Young Victoria actress Emily Blunt - who also played the bitchy personal assistant in The Devil Wears Prada - has said that she dreads going to such social gatherings as she’s worried what people will think of what she’s wearing.

Now I’m not too sure if I have much sympathy for Emily. Yes there must be a lot of pressure to look great at premieres of movies with all the camera bulbs flashing, but many celebs get given gorgeous designer dresses and clothes to wear for free!

"I always get that panic when I step out of the car that everyone is going to hate it," she said.

She went on to add: "I’ve had zippers that have broken too."

Earlier in December, the premiere of The Young Victoria took place in Los Angeles and Emily wore a short black and white printed silk designer dress with a black belt detail.

We thought she looked fine, although the number she wore to the Toronto International Film Festival was stunning!

Do you think the fashion world should be kinder to celebrities?