Dressing up for that sashay down the red carpet can quickly turn into a dressing-down in print the next day. So how can you, dear Oscar nominees, ensure you're a hit with even the most hostile fashion commentators?

It was clear at the Gucci show in Milan today which sectors are not yet feeling the pinch, with a series of red carpet dresses to tempt celebrities ahead of this weekend’s Oscars ceremony, and an autumn collection of velvet, silk and brocade separates that will play well among the label’s luxury-focussed clientele in China.

Thousand-pound python skin Gucci handbags can be added to the list of things that remain popular despite the economic gloom.

Is it possible for men to dress for a night on the town without reaching for a rented tux or a novelty waistcoat? Yes, says the expert Adam Welch

In these difficult economic times, everyone at the BBC knows they have to count the pennies – even the folk at Worldwide, the Beeb's highly successful commercial arm. For Deborah Rowland, who has just been unveiled as BBC Worldwide's people director, the austerity at the corporation may come as a bit of a shock. She'sjoining the Beeb from a similar role at the luxury goods company Gucci and has previously worked at such well-funded companies as Shell and Pepsi. The hair shirt will take a bit of getting used to.

Gucci is 90, and to mark its birthday, the luxury label is paying homage to the classic designs that made it great, says Susannah Frankel

An IT engineer fired by Gucci hacked into the company’s servers, deleting data and shutting down its email and other IT services in a revenge attack estimated to have cost the upmarket retailer around £125,000, Manhattan prosecutors allege.

In 2008, I wrote in this column about Violens. The New York four-piece had put out a fine EP of droning guitars, psychedelic sounds and dreamy harmonies, but I subsequently lost track of them.

What are you wearing right now?

A T-shirt with a smiley face on it. And some shorts. I'm at home, chilling out and waiting for Ugly Betty to come on the telly. Wednesday TV is so boring but I really love Ugly Betty!