London Fashion Week: Nicola Roberts wows with a daring thigh-skimming skirt at Vivienne Westwood catwalk show

She's slowly but surely morphed into a fashionista since her humble beginnings with Girls Aloud. And Nicola Roberts proved she can pull off a show-stopping look when she made an appearance at Vivienne Westwood's Red Label catwalk show at London Fashion Week last night.
The 24-year-old singer wore a plunging black top held together with laces down the front and coordinating black skater-style skirt, which was held at the Royal Courts of Justice.
Scroll down to watch a MailOnline video report

Flirty skirt: Nicola Roberts wore a plunging corseted style minidress to the Vivienne Westwood show and after-party in London last night

Miss Roberts accessorised her outfit with a pair of black shoes with gems across the toes and on the heels, together with a bright red heart-shaped Westwood handbag.
She stole the limelight from other guests at the show, including Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, Pixie Lott, Jo Wood, Tracey Emin and Janet Jackson.
The sister of late pop superstar Michael arrived at the show wearing a grey blazer jacket, a black blouse, black trousers and an unusual pair of ankle boots.

Chic: Roberts chats to T4 presenter Jameela Jamil (left) at the show

Miss Roberts also outshone Pixie Geldof, who was modelling for the label - taking her turn to strut down the catwalk in a variety of outfits.
The singer was pictured sitting with T4 presenter and former model Jameela Jamil, who wore a peach dress with white polka dots with peach heels.

 

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Chart-topping pop singer Pixie Lott, who also attended PPQ's catwalk show, was at the event wearing a check waist-length blazer over a black dress, tights and heels.
She also sported a cute black bow in her hair and a swallow pendant.

Pop starlets: Pixie Lott and ex-Sugababe Keisha Buchanan enjoyed the fashion show and the after-party

Interest: Nicola is a keen follower of fashion and has already been spotted front row at several London Fashion Week shows

Girls Aloud star Nicola Roberts has become increasingly fashion-conscious since she found fame in 2002, aged just 16.
She was often seen as the dowdy member of the group, but has since embraced fashion, regularly attending shows in both London and Paris.
Just last month she was pictured wearing a pair of pop socks on a visit to the Radio 1 studios.

The look has come straight off last year's catwalks, and has been cited as one of this seasons key trends, proof that her research is paying off.

Time to relax: After the show Vivienne headed to the after-party with model Kate Moss and partner Andreas

Icons: Designer Vivienne Westwood with supermodel Kate Moss

In November last year, Miss Roberts described her discovery, and subsequent love, of the world of fashion.
She said: 'I remember looking around at my first fashion party a year ago and thinking, "Oh. My. God. This is all about odd people. This is where I fit in."

'The fact that I have white skin and red hair is my thing.
'It’s my different thing and, in the fashion world, that’s ok. You celebrate it. It’s given me the confidence to experiment with my clothes, with my hair and the way I look.
'I'm just finding out who I am, what my style is,' she told Grazia magazine.
'Everything I wear, I wear because I love it.'

Careless: A worse for wear Kate Moss was among the VIPs at Vivienne Westwood's Red Label catwalk show last night

Fans: Vivienne Westwood with Janet Jackson and supermodel friend Naomi Campbell

Fashionista: Pixie Geldof backstage and on the catwalk at the Westwood show

AND BACK ON THE CATWALK...
Tamara Abraham
For a woman who claims not to know much about fashion, last night's show at the Royal Courts of Justice was about as fashion fabulous as it gets.
Dame Vivienne Westwood  put on a collection that seemed made for taking on the world.

Fierce-looking models with hair teased into huge distressed beehives strode the catwalk in warrior-inspired ensembles, from military-style coats and pirate boots, to superhero capes and headwear.

Warriors: Strong shoulders were a key theme, and even the most ladylike of dresses was teamed with tough-looking pirate boots

Strong shoulders were a key theme, and even the most ladylike of pencil skirts was teamed with a scarf wrapped around the head.
So it would seem impossible that the legendary designer's initial description of the collection included the words 'romantic' and 'fairytale'.

But, for Westwood, a fashion collection is never just about the clothes, and her inspiration told of a romantic ideal based on a love of art and 'loyalty to Gaia' - her way of drawing attention to a scientific theory based on global warming.
In an interview with Stylist magazine, she explained: 'I decided to use my fashion to get across this message that we have to get engaged with the world we live in and stop its destruction.'

Superheroes: The collection featured headwear ready for taking on the world

Describing the woman who might wear the collection in a pre-show statement, she said: 'The woman is an art-lover. Art gives meaning to her life and courage to face the world.
'Her hero is James Lovelock, the 90-year-old genius who unfurled the Gaia theory of science.'
As well as the Gaia message, the collection included a T-shirt designed to raise money for Naomi Campbell's Fashion For Relief charity, which is currently supporting 240,000 pregnant women and new mothers in Haiti.
The T-shirt, which was sported by the designer herself, featured a black-and-white photograph of bare breasts, with 'vital statistics' about Haiti and climate change written across the front.

Message: Westwood used the show to raise awareness about global warming

But for all her statements, there was little on the catwalk that Westwood would struggle to sell. Loose shapes and clever draping played on a signature style that has never failed to please her fans, while prints, which varied from folkloric illustrations to hot pink tartan were genuinely wearable.

And it was humorous too. One model stalked the runway while sharpening a knife in an apron bearing the words 'Loyalty 2 Gaia', while the finale - to Rossini's William Tell overture - saw two girls stride out hand-in-hand, only to race back as if they had forgotten to bring Westwood for her bow.
The models appeared to be having a ball, creating an infectious happy energy that had even the most stern-faced editors grinning from ear-to-ear.
It was a show that, in short, reminded us not to take fashion too seriously - that it is there to enjoy, but the world has greater things to worry about. And for that alone, Westwood is our superhero.

   

Vivienne Westwood, centre, joins her models as the audience applaud her her autumn/winter 2010 Red Label collection

Claire Sweeney drops two dress sizes and loses a stone after seven-week fitness drive

Claire Sweeney has dropped two dress sizes and got her confidence back after going on a rigorous fitness regime.The television presenter managed to shed a stone in just seven weeks.
She went from 11st 2lb to 10st (size 12-14 to a 10) after exercising three times a week.

Before and after: Claire Sweeney has lost a stone in seven weeks and dropped two dress sizes after going on a diet

Speaking to this week's Closer magazine, who she did the diet with, Claire said: 'My leg is like rock! I’m solid muscle.'
It’s no surprise the glamorous presenter and singer, 38, is so keen to show off her body.
'I haven’t been this toned since I was in Chicago 10 years ago,' says the 5ft 8in star.
'My bum is high and curved, my waist has slimmed right down and my cheekbones are more defined. I wasn’t looking forward to posing in a bikini, but I don’t look too bad!'
Claire, who found fame in TV soap Brookside, had been struggling to get back in shape after appearing in a documentary in which she tried to gain as much weight as possible to highlight the dangers of overeating.
On My Big Fat Diet, which aired just over a year ago, Claire went from 9st 12lb to 11st 10lb. 'The weight gain was so quick,' said Claire, who ditched her healthy lifestyle to indulge in custard slices and burgers. 
'I took my foot off the brake and gained 2st in six weeks. But I had a ball doing it!'

Claire pictured in January 2009 in the TV show My Big Fat Diet where she piled on the pounds, showing hear how difficult exercise was with extra weight

Once filming finished, Claire was faced with shedding the extra pounds – and although she initially lost a stone with WeightWatchers and doing weekly sessions with British Military Fitness, her weight loss stalled at 11st 2lb.
'I really loved doing BMF, but the early starts killed me!” she says. At first, being a size 14 didn’t bother the TV presenter as it brought with it an unexpected benefit.
'I’ve never been chatted up so much,' laughs Claire, who is currently single but dating.
'I think there was a softness to me because my confidence had gone, and men found that vulnerability appealing. I remember one guy saying: "You’re glowing." I realised bigger doesn’t mean unattractive.'
Yet as the months went by, she began to long for her old figure.  'Secretly, it was getting me down,' says Claire.
'I felt older and I couldn’t wear 60 per cent of my clothes. I wanted to wear my beautiful Roland Mouret fitted dresses and skinny jeans, but nothing fitted.'
So just after Christmas Claire started working with personal trainer Sarah Williams and embarked on a Closer diet devised by nutritionist Juliette Kellow.
Since then, the actress has been training three times a week in a park near her London home. The hour-long sessions involve a run and then a series of exercises, including squats, jumping jacks and boxing.

The full interview is in Closer magazine

'I hated running, so we built it up slowly and now I can run comfortably for an hour.
'My best tip is to go running with a buddy. Or listen to a book on your iPod. I run to Ozzy Osbourne’s life story!'
'I feel loads better these days,' she says. 'But I find losing weight harder now. If I’d trained this hard five years ago I’d have been a rake by now!'
Not that heading towards 40 worries her. Claire admits having Botox injections to smooth her forehead but won’t have more radical treatments.
'Fillers? No way,' she says firmly. 'I use Crystal Clear facial products and I’ve inherited my mum’s great skin, so hopefully I won’t need to do anything else. I see pictures of myself in my 20s and I think I look better now.'
Claire’s been single since splitting from her long-term partner in 2007. But she jokes that should she decide she wants a child, she has plenty of opportunity, saying: 'I’ve got lots of gay friends who keep offering to father a baby for me!'

Padma Lakshmi welcomes a baby girl (but the father's identity remains a mystery) By Daily Mail Reporter

Baby joy: Padma Lakshmi gave birth to a girl over the weekend, whom she named Krishna Thea Lakshmi

Padma Lakshmi has become a mother for the first time after giving birth to a baby girl.
Lakshmi, 39, welcomed her daughter in New York on Saturday and her spokesperson said mother and baby are both 'well and happy.'
She called the child Krishna Thea Lakshmi after promising early in her pregnancy to give the child a 'classically Indian Sanskrit name.'
The former wife of author Salman Rushdie, who now hosts the popular American TV show Top chef, has not revealed the identity of the father of her child.
Her pregnancy, which she announced at the beginning of October, was described by her doctor as 'nothing short of a medical miracle', after she struggled for years with endometriosis.
Just prior to the birth, a friend told America's People magazine: 'She's wanted to be a mom for a long time. She was very relieved and happy when she got pregnant.'
Lakshmi married Rushdie, who dedicated his novel Fury to her, in 2004 but they divorced three years later.
She has not said if the baby's father will stay a secret, with her spokesman describing it as a 'private matter'.
But reports in New York have hinted it may be Adam Dell, the younger brother of the founder of the Dell computer empire.
She was first seen with Dell,40, about two years ago at the South Beach Wine & Food Festival in Miami while she was seeing Teddy Forstmann, the owner of the IMG talent agency.
They were later spotted together with Elton John and Elizabeth Hurley at Evelyn Lauder's party for breast cancer research.
Dell is a venture capitalist  who teaches at Columbia Business School in New York city.
Lakshmi,who began her career at the age of 16, married Rushdie in 2007 after a five year courtship.

Cheryl Cole spends night being comforted by dancer in LA hotel

Cheryl Cole spent eight hours in her LA hotel room with close friend and confidante Derek Hough as she prepared for a future without her cheating husband Ashley.
The X Factor star, who arrived at Los Angeles LAX Airport last night, believed to be bound for London, was being comforted by the dancer who is helping her through her marriage crisis.
With the couple’s break-up due to be formally announced in the coming days, as the Daily Mail revealed, Mrs Cole is thought to have shelved a promotional trip to the Netherlands, scheduled for this afternoon, in order to plan her split from Ashley.

Taking flight: Cheryl Cole, at Los Angeles LAX Airport last night, thought to be on her way home to London

Brave face: Cheryl has been hard at work while in the U.S. but is expected to announce her marriage split later this week

The petite brunette spent the evening at her exclusive Beverley Hills hotel, The London, locked away with Mr Hough, a talented dancer.
Mr Hough – a professional on Dancing With The Stars, the U.S. version of Strictly Come Dancing, stayed with Mrs Cole until 4am when he left with his dog.
Mr Hough – who danced with Mrs Cole in her ITV special at Christmas and co-stars in her forthcoming pop video Parachutes - has been Mrs Cole’s closest confidante since she arrived in Los Angeles last week.
Initially, sources close to Mrs Cole, 26, insisted she and Mr Hough, 24, were 'just good friends’ and that the pair ‘enjoyed each other’s company’, but nothing more.
However, in recent days the pair have become virtually inseparable.

Close: Cheryl's friend Derek Hough, who has been comforting her in LA, spent eight hours in her hotel room yesterday

A source revealed: ‘Derek and Cheryl certainly like to spend time together. He has been trying to put a smile back on Cheryl’s face.’
Mrs Cole’s burgeoning friendship with Mr Hough comes as Mrs Cole prepares to begin divorce proceedings against her errant husband.
Mrs Cole is even considering moving to the U.S. following the breakdown of her marriage, which will work well with an offer from Simon Cowell to be a judge on his planned American X Factor next year, the Daily Mail has learned.
During her trip to the U.S., the singer is believed to have viewed at least one multi-million pound property – as she plans a clean break from Cole. The formal announcement of their separation is due to come within days, according to sources.
One source revealed: ‘Cheryl now just wants to move on. She’s had enough.’
Just weeks ago, she was planning to start a family with Cole and quit the X Factor, so ruling out a lucrative chance to reprise her role in the U.S..
But following the collapse of her marriage, Mrs Cole is ready to re-consider her decision and is contemplating having a base in the U.S. and the UK. 
Bookmakers were last night declaring it was 'inevitable' Mrs Cole would soon be filing for divorce after three-and-a-half years of marriage.
A spokesman for William Hill said: 'In our opinion, it is a done deal and we are happy to hand over winnings now.'
One of Cole's alleged one-night stands  -  the fourth to come forward  -  has claimed he had sobbed down the phone to her that he would die if he lost his wife over their fling.
He is said to have pleaded with U.S. political aide Ann Corbitt to keep quiet about twice having unprotected sex with her in a Seattle hotel last July when Chelsea was on a pre-season tour.

In trouble: Bookmakers are now declaring it 'inevitable' Cheryl will divorce Ashley

A fifth alleged flame, Alexandra Taylor, also came forward to say she had sex with Cole on the night he 'went public' with Cheryl in 2004.
Cole was first exposed for cheating on his wife in 2008 with hairdresser Aimee Walton.
Earlier this month, it was revealed explicit pictures of him were sent from his phone to Page Three girl Sonia Wild.

Hidden message? Cheryl Cole wearing a top at the weekend saying 'I left My Heart in Beverly Hills' as she visits a studio in Los Angeles

And last week, Mrs Cole was left devastated when allegations emerged claiming he had slept with Vicki Gough, a 30-year-old secretary at Liverpool FC.
Meanwhile, it has also emerged Cole faces a battle for his future at Chelsea Football Club in the light of the scandal.
He faces a suspension or 'meaningful' fine from Chelsea after claims he hoodwinked the club into covering up his philandering.

The 'other women': Ashley has been linked to Alexandra Taylor (left) and Ann Corbitt, who claims she slept with Cole while he was on tour in the U.S....

...and he has also allegedly had liaisons with hairdresser Aimee Walton, glamour model Sonia Wild and Liverpool club secretary Vicki Gough

Cole is due to be brought before Chelsea's board as early as Friday to explain himself. The club decided to act because the defender's alleged affair occurred while he was 'on duty' during a tour.
Meanwhile, Sinitta, fellow X Factor judge, Simon Cowell’s ex-fiancee and confidante, said that Mrs Cole would not put up with Cole’s infidelity.
She said: ‘It’s sad for Cheryl at the moment. I’m praying for her. It’s a lonely time. I’ve been texting her to remind her that she has Simon [Cowell] and me to help. I’ve told her to guard her heart, and that she has support.

Concerned: Cheryl's friend Sinitta

‘Cheryl looks to Simon and he’s a good listener. He has a philosophical approach to life. He’ll put things into perspective for her.’
‘Cheryl can be nervous and vulnerable. She is throwing herself into her work, but she hasn’t given much away about how she is feeling.”
The former pop star continued: ‘She’s trying to work it all out for herself.
‘With issues of the heart I guess that’s what you have to do. A million people can give you a million different pieces of advice but it's her marriage, her husband – it’s her decision. It is understandable she wouldn’t want to share the innermost secrets of her heart other than to Ashley.
‘But when I see them together my feeling is like they are like two little sweet kids who love each other.”
However, Sinitta insists Cheryl will not turn a blind eye to her husband’s infidelity.
She said: ‘There are some women who accept that in exchange for a particular lifestyle, but for me it would be a complete nightmare, and I know Cheryl isn’t like that either.'

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