Karl Lagerfeld has form when it comes to insults. Kunal Dutta and Rebecca Gonsalves look back

Sharp designs and heritage brands are putting British clothes into wardrobes around the world. This summer's Diamond Jubilee and the London Olympics present a unique selling opportunity. Laura Chesters reports

He may head one of the most successful fashion houses in the world, but it appears Karl Lagerfeld has overstepped the boundaries of good taste by describing British singer Adele as "too fat".

Karl Lagerfeld transformed the interior of Paris's Grand Palais into a private jet for the spring/summer 2012 Chanel haute couture show yesterday. Perhaps he felt it would make the handful of clients wealthy enough to invest tens of thousands of pounds in a single, hand-worked garment feel at home. Certainly, Chanel besuited guests appeared delighted as they walked through the metal walkway and circular lounge to their airline seats. Drinks were served from silver trolleys, all beneath a blue sky projection scattered with clouds.

How ironic that just as the collective fashion consciousness turns its attention to the spring/summer season, and the craft of haute couture appears more influential than it has done for years, one of its main protagonists has left this world.

That look is just so last year! There was embarrassment in the world of fashion "glossies" after an almost-identical cover shot of Carey Mulligan graced the front of three magazines.

The legendary embroidery designer, François Lesage, whose elaborate handiwork has graced the designs of all the grandest couturiers for more than half a century, died in Paris yesterday at the age of 82. As well as providing fanciful surface embellishment to everyone from Cristobal Balenciaga to Yves Saint Laurent and from Christian Dior to Valentino Garavani, as a young man Lesage put the glittering finishing touches to the costumes of Hollywood greats including Marlene Dietrich, Ava Gardner and Olivia de Havilland, all of whom sparkled both on screen and off in his hands.

Gone are the days of respectful 'life-writings' and long gaps between comparative biographical studies. As yet another Coco Chanel exposé arrives, John Walsh asks, are there still any new facts for writers to uncover?

Peter Philips, creative director of beauty for Chanel, is the most influential make-up artist in the world. It's the ultimate dream job, he tells Susannah Frankel

As her styles have endured, so the career of Coco Chanel has become a catwalk where writers and film-makers galore can strut their stuff.

Leah Capaldi's performance piece involves two actors at a time (one female, one male), who will each be sprayed with a whole bottle of Chanel Allure or Allure Pour Homme. They will walk among visitors at The Tramshed in London, as part of an exhibition of work, by this year's five shortlisted artists for The Catlin Art Prize – taken from The Catlin Guide, an annual survey of the 40 most promising art graduates.

Susannah Frankel

If you ask me...