Henry Holland's 'Debut' - Charity Event & Exhibition (London, UK)

There's nothing better than spending money on something when you know it's for a good cause. Which is why the combination of fashion and charity is such a great mix. The last time I posted about a charity collaboration, it involved designer dolls, which some of you (and yours truly) deemed to be a bit creepy at times. An event that happened this week titled Debut was decidedly less sinister, since it involved actual clothing, art and other memorabilia.

Launched by Henry Holland, Debut saw the designer recruit the help from fellow British creatives and friends, resulting in a large collection of coveted pieces which were first featured in a pre-event exhibition, then auctioned off on March 24. All proceeds went to Cancer Research UK, the world's leading charity dedicated to beating cancer through research.

A gorgeous venue: auction pieces displayed in the converted church that is One Mayfair.

I got a chance to catch a glimpse of some of the pieces prior to the auction event, all of which were presented in the stunning One Mayfair venue (a converted former church dating back to 1825). The lots up for auction focused on British fashion through the ages, featuring donations from the likes of Christopher Kane, Nicholas Kirkwood, Kate Moss or Paul Smith to name a few - while Agyness Deyn starred as a DJ during the actual auction.

Loved the pink-black combo of the seating area. The official booklet listed all auction items and the event schedule.

Below you'll find a few of the pieces that went up for auction. Which item(s) would you have bid on? Let me know!

Left: Peter Pilotto dress; the design was worn by Kate Bosworth. Right: Dress by Erdem, designed for Browns boutique to celebrate 40 years of British Fashion.

Donations by Henry Holland himself, included the signature House of Holland slogan shirts and an afternoon out with the man himself (left). A beautiful creation by milliner Stephen Jones (top right) and an autographed photograph of Kate Moss during Alexander McQueen's 2004 runway show, photographed by Richard Young.

Left: Christopher Kane red bandage dress from his first collection, as worn by Victoria Beckham. Right: Richard Nicoll dress featuring artwork by Linder Sterling.

Fashion as art: David Downton illustration of Erin O'Connor (top left), oversized limited edition signed Mary Quant stamp (lower left), painting from Alex Echo, who's art inspired Paul Smith (center), Simon Claridge pop-art of Kate Moss (top right), Dior by John Galliano photograph (lower right).

Left: Erdem floral dress. Right: Bellville Sassoon evening dress.

Top: Kate Moss for Longchamp bags designed exclusively by Kate for Debut (incl. handwritten note). Bottom: Nicholas Kirkwood shoes designed exclusively for Sarah Jessica Parker.

Left: House of Holland wedding dress reading 'Who needs a husband I've got House of Holland'. Right: 'History of Rainbows' dress by Tracey Boyd, exclusively for Debut.

More impressive shots: Twiggy (top left), Sid Vicious (bottom left), Tamara Rojo photographed by Paul Smith (center), David Bowie (top right), signed copy of Alexandra Schulman's first publication of Vogue UK as acting editor (lower right).

Vintage items, incl. a sparkly cardigan from the 20s (left).

If you missed 'Debut', you can always donate to Cancer Research UK via the official page. Henry Holland will be doing more charitable work next month when he runs the London Marathon for Oxfam along with a few friends (including Agyness once again). Donations for that can still be made via this fundraising page.

On a final note, if you happen to be in London this weekend, eco-brand People Tree is running a 'Sample Sale for Japan' until March 27 (near Aldgate East), with all proceeds going towards 'The Second Harvest Charity', which will provide food for the victims of the recent earthquake/tsunami in Japan.

All Dolled Up: Frimousses de Créateurs 2010 (Paris, France)

Below: Overview of the exhibition space.

Unless you've been living under a rock, you might have noticed that designer collaborations are everywhere these days. After having just witnessed the latest H&M/Lanvin one, I had a first real-life (puzzled) look at the Valentino for GAP selection last week - and while ruffled khaki cargo pants really aren't my thing and never will be, who can blame yet another designer and high street retailer for joining forces? After all, they're just companies... and companies need to make money. Most of my friends refuse to buy into this whole marketing scheme, claiming it's a waste of money, yet others will happily unload a lot of hard-earned cash for such 'designer' gear. I still have mixed feelings about some of these collaborations, but one of the current joint-ventures does make perfect sense to me - and deserves to have a lot of money thrown at it...

'Frimousses de Créateurs' is a collaboration I already posted about last year. In an annual event and exhibition which began in 2003, big names in fashion, art and design (to name a few) each create a unique doll in partnership with UNICEF, which then gets auctioned off. All monies collected go towards financing vaccinations to aid children in Darfur. Donations in the past have allowed over 260,000 children in Africa to be vaccinated (annually) with last year's donations reaching a total of 285,300 EUR. Of course depending on which doll you want, you might not just need a big heart but an even bigger wallet. But even then, I'm sure those who have spent a bit of money on this, value the fact they've not only purchased a unique designer item (which is actually handmade), but also saved children's lives. This year's collaboration was dedicated to the world of cinema and included not only designers' interpretations of the silver screen, but also had a few stars themselves take a shot at creating a doll.

Marion Cotillard designed herself as a doll, while her partner, actor & director Guillaime Canet, was designed by Dior Homme (center). Other dolls pictured include legendary vintage expert Didier Ludot (left) and 'Baby Gaga' by Tilmann Grawe, the man responsible for many of Lady Gaga's stage outfits.

All dolls went on display last week at the Petit Palais and will be auctioned off tomorrow (Dec 7). A few select dolls can even be purchased online here. While dolls in general sometimes still creep me out, I did love looking at these little creations and wish I could take more than one home. This year, my favorites were Chanel's 'La Petite Coco' and Giorgio Armani's 'Marlène Dietrich'. Which one would you bid on, if you had the funds?

Big-name luxury and contemporary designers

'Tulip' by Dior (left). Louis Vuitton's doll (right) looks like a mini Christy Turlington.

'Sixtine' by Lanvin (left). 'La Petite Coco' by Chanel (right).

'Marlène Dietrich' by Giorgio Armani (left). 'Monica' by Dolce & Gabbana.

Stefano Pilati for Yves Saint Laurent (left). 'Skye' by Chloé (right).

'Elvia' by Gucci (left). Missoni (right).

'Sophie' by Prada (left). 'Barbara' by Miu Miu (right).

Double-sided doll 'Pralin et Praline' by Sonia Rykiel (left). 'Gilda' by Paule Ka (right).

Oscar de la Renta (left). 'Grace' by Elie Saab (right).

'Puccinella' by Pucci (left). 'Ava' by Loewe (right).

Carolina Herrera (left). 'Divina' by Narciso Rodriguez (right).

'Clara' by Emmanuel Ungaro (left). 'Daisy' by BCBG MAXAZRIA.

French Couture and Local Designers

Top row: 'Natsué' by Leonard, 'Yamima Benguigui' by Georges Chakra, Eliza Doolittle by Maison Lesage, 'Rebecca Dark' by Jerome L'Huillier.
Bottom row: 'Mono' by Torrente, 'Sarah' by Jean-Claude Jitrois, 'Clémentine' by Max Chaoul.

French contemporary designers and premium high street

Top row: 'Dolores' by Lolita Lempicka, Les Petites, Comptoir des Cotonniers, 'Liza' by Anne Fontaine.
Bottom row: Antik Batik,' Charlotte l'effrontée' by Petit Bateau, 'Forever Godard' by Agnes B.

Lingerie & Jewelry designers

Top row: 'Ella' by Princesse Tam Tam, 'Susan' by Fifi Chachnil, 'Vénus' by Vanina Vesperini.
Bottom row: 'Mademoiselle Poiray' by Poiray, 'Shirley' by Chantal Thomass, 'Super Ame' by Lorenz Baumer, 'C'est Toi La Star' by Mauboussin.

And the slightly wackier dolls...

Left: 'Popée' by Moritz Rogogsky, 'Mlle Blanche' by Moulin Rouge. Center: Skeleton made out of several dolls - Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, 'Tamara' by Petrossian. Right: 'Carrément chocolat' by macaron master Pierre Herme, Jay Ahr.

More of the over 80 dolls can also be viewed at the official Frimousses de Créateurs homepage.

Kristin Scott Thomas, Alber Elbaz & Lanvin @ Printemps (Paris, France)

Printemps in holiday mode, plus a few spotlights for the event (source: Getty Images).

These days, you can't really eavesdrop a conversation or surf the web without hearing/seeing the word 'Lanvin' somewhere - particularly when it comes to collaborations. So when I heard that there would be yet another partnership with Lanvin, I wasn't sure if I liked the idea despite my love for the French fashion house... until I realized what it was: Parisian department store Printemps requested Alber Elbaz to curate four of its main store windows for the holiday season. Last year's windows, which I featured here, came courtesy of Lagerfeld (Chanel) and Galliano (Dior). As with previous displays, the current ones showcase a large number of dancing marionette dolls, representing Mr. and Miss Lanvin as they make their way through various rooms of a Chateau (the windows are aptly titled "Noel au Chateau").

The marionette dolls Mr. and Miss Lanvin, wearing... Lanvin of course (source: Vogue Paris).

To spice things up even more, the windows were unveiled during a grand ceremony on Wednesday (Nov 10). In attendance: British actress Kristin Scott Thomas (also a Parisian resident), Alber Elbaz and the CEO of Printemps. While I was clever enough to make it to the event on time, I was also stupid enough to bring a camera with a missing battery which was being recharged, so unfortunately I'll be presenting a few borrowed photographs and my partially blurry phone pics.

Alber Elbaz and Kristin Scott Thomas (in Lanvin) getting cuddly with Mr. and Miss Lanvin after unveiling the main window (top image: Dominique Maitre via WWD, bottom images: Richard Bord/WiredImage).

Kristin Scott Thomas on her way to the next window - she looked incredible by the way.

Kristin Scott Thomas checks out the Nina Ricci Christmas display (left) and joins Alber Elbaz for another Lanvin window.

But I did have a blast. While Kristin Scott Thomas and Mr. Elbaz were already on the red carpet, models dressed as French royalty in the style of Louis XVI/Marie Antoinette appeared in a horse-drawn carriage, along with another couple posing as Mr. and Miss Lanvin. A marching band accompanied this procession as they made their way to a very gracious Kristin and an Alber who seemed to get a kick out of seeing his creations come to life. After the first window was unveiled, the party moved on to the next few, then went in the store, where the celebrations continued in the Laduree corner.

More window gazing with Kristin, Alber and Printemps CEO Paolo de Cesare. This window also featured the most treats courtesy of Laduree (and yes, that's the back of Alber's head at the top).

French royalty and the Lanvin couple.

The entire group posing for a pic (top image: Getty Images), and my blurry artsy pic of Louis & co. passing me.

The models on their way to Laduree inside Printemps.

I won't post the actual windows yet, but stay tuned, as they will be featured on this blog soon. Until then, here's a short video clip of the event I found, courtesy of Printemps:

Salon du Chocolat: Edible Couture & More (Paris, France)

A giant chocolate bear near the entrance (left) and a chocolate sculpture adorned with Swarovski crystals (right).

Last week the husband and I decided to check out the 'Salon du Chocolat', which according to the organizers is the world's largest event dedicated to chocolate. Our goal: to get as many free samples as possible, eliminating the need for lunch. I'm pleased to say we succeeded, though I did feel a little queasy after. And since both chocolate and fashion rank pretty high on my hit list, I was delighted to realize that this is also the event, where chocolate couture dresses are presented on both the runway and as a permanent exhibition:

A selection of fabric dresses adorned with real chocolate.

Chocolate dress with leaves (left) and an armored gladiator outfit (right. Runway images: Telegraph UK).

Ruffled dress using chocolate wrappers as sleeves (left) and feathered ballgown decorated with chocolate and a chocolate belt (right).

An opulent dress by Patrice Shapona.

A 20s inspired dress featuring chocolate pearls (left), one of the few dresses completely made of chocolate (center) and a white coat featuring beans and plants from the cacao tree.

The crazy dress in cage look courtesy of Bailey's and Carole Dichampt (right image: Telegraph UK).

Dress made of sacks that carried the cacao beans (left). Jumpsuit and jacket featuring droplets of chocolate (right).

Two more dresses, consisting of mainly chocolate.

And if wearing a chocolate dress isn't enough... you could always accessorize your outfit...

Chocolate hats, clutches and shoes - all by Castelanne.

...or your home - with one of these snazzy sculptures:

A few of the sculptures featuring animal/nature scenes.

And even flowers:

Flower bouquets made of chocolate-covered almonds glazed in icing. The butterfly ones (top right) were my favorites.

Or perhaps these could decorate your home too:

A chocolate plant, dark chocolate globe (top), giant truffles and decorated Xmas trees (bottom).

There's even cute stuff for the kids (though I'd get these for myself):

Aren't these adorable? Chocolate & marzipan lollipops and a few chocolate hedgehogs.

But if everything else is too fussy, there's always the actual chocolate...yum!

Macaroons in various flavors, along with pralines, truffles and big chunks of chocolate.

Salon du Chocolat is hosted around the world under slightly different names. I believe the next one is in NYC this Wednesday (Nov 10), where it's simply called 'The Chocolate Show', so if you love all things cocoa like I do, I'd definitely recommend going.