Despite a slowdown in China and turmoil in Europe, the insatiable demand for monogrammed Louis Vuitton luggage and Marc Jacobs handbags is showing no signs of abating.

The thirst for bling, designer handbags and the latest gadgets is showing no sign of waning as consumers ditch household favourites for top end luxury brands.

The Louis Vuitton Express – or more precisely a turn-of-the-20th-century steam train – pulled into Paris yesterday, bathed in ultraviolet light and filled with model passengers sporting creative director Marc Jacobs' new designs.

In a world dominated by anoraks, bobble hats, enamel badges and vacuum flasks, railways and fashion are not obvious partners. Most of us boys gave up finding trains sexy when we discovered girls. And most girls – of any age – have never found trains sexy at all.

Model: Alicia at Ford

Why is the "wolf in cashmere" back in the news?

Feeling liverish, as your granny used to say? The good news is that this is the one time of year when it is nothing short of uncouth to consider wearing anything remotely fashionable and, even more so, tight-fitting and/or fabulously transformative.

British success story Mulberry today unveiled a Frenchman as its new chief executive.

From blushing brides to dramatic falls from grace, Susannah Frankel charts the highs and lows of the international style set in 2011

Reports of the auction of Elizabeth Taylor's estate this week all focus on the idea that the baubles, trinkets and voluminous silk kaftans "tell the story of her life and loves". And, of course, they do. The dozens of breathtaking jewels are a testament to her captivating beauty as a young woman, one any man would bankrupt himself for. Elizabeth Taylor was not someone who could be fobbed off with a Tiffany key ring.

Notebook

Raf Simons would bring a more purist aesthetic to the grand French fashion house

This week I will be mostly channelling...Angelina Jolie.