Bottega Veneta

In terms of wardrobe staples that every woman needs, the black pencil skirt is hovering somewhere around, oh, the very top of the list. Contrary to popular belief, pencil skirts are no longer the domain of working women — nowadays, these slick numbers are as at home on the social scene as they are in the boardroom. And before you think you've seen 'em all, let us tell you: there's no end to the variations of this classic piece. Whether it's basic cotton, quilted, leather, midi-length, mini-length or beautifully detailed, there's one you'll love mixing and matching with all the existing pieces in your wardrobe. Denim shirts? Tick. Plain white tee? Tick. Sexy, strappy cami, bold printed tops and slick jackets? Tick, tick, tick. What are you waiting for? Shop our top ten now!

Dust off the red rug, because the 2013 awards season has arrived! New York City was awash with stylish leading ladies today, frocking up for the 2013 National Board of Review Awards Gala. Amanda Seyfried looked feminine in a bejewelled Bottega Veneta cocktail frock, Anne Hathaway stuck with her new vampy look in a black Saint Laurent tuxedo, Jessica Chastain gilded herself in an embellished Alexander McQueen sheath and an ornate Aurelie Bidermann cuff — but we have to say it was Emily Blunt who nabbed the best-dressed title for us. Her super chic nude Emilio Pucci sheath with subtle cut-outs oozed a sexy sort of elegance. A pair of pointed metallic pumps and her fresh-from-Mexico glow finished the look. Get a better look inside . . .

Tomas Maier sent out a collection defined by its nod to 1940s-inspired femininity. The hemlines were longer, the floral prints evoked a nostalgic feel, and the cinched waistlines reminded us of Casablanca. Everything from poppy-printed tea dresses and butterfly-adorned belts to bustier silhouettes and platform loafers made their way down the runway, proving retro-leaning wares will be a mainstay in Spring's wardrobe. While it was mostly ladylike loveliness all around, there were a few tougher juxtapositions, too. Thus, for the slightly edged-up girl, Maier injected more exotic details — studs and snakeskin — into his dresses. If you're a fan of the brand's iconic woven leather bags, specifically the Intrecciato, you'll be happy to see a fresh supply of Spring-ready bags. And this round of slick accessories came complete with a more undone (read: shredded) finish, butterfly appliqués, and fringe. See our trend breakdown below, then click on for the full Bottega Veneta Spring 2013 collection.

• Trends: Retro floral prints, tea dresses that hit right at the knee, the butterfly motif, bustier silhouettes, and collar necklines.
• Colours: Peachy orange, black, nude, pink, rust, cream, navy blue, and white.
• Key Piece: While the bustier dresses are out-right sexy, we don't want to be without the old-school floral-printed ones this Spring.
• Accessories: The brand's iconic woven leather bags, oversize clutches, square-frame sunglasses, platform sandals and loafers, and butterfly belts.
• Who Should Wear It: We're hoping Michelle Williams steps out in one of the quirkier poppy-printed sheaths, but as for the eye-catching platforms? They have Alexa Chung's name written all over them.

One way to prep for the 2012 Emmy Awards? A comprehensive look back at who wore what (read: who stunned) on the red carpet in Emmys past. We've already done quite few double takes at gowns that, in short, we'll never forget. Nina Dobrev's jaw-dropping red Donna Karan gown at last year's ceremony is a standout example, but let's not forget Leighton Meester's ultra-pretty white Bottega Veneta number in 2009 and last year's daring (and midriff-baring) Pucci ensemble worn by Gwyneth Paltrow. And trust us, that's just the tip of the iceberg. As we rewind, and remember the glamour that came before, we can also look forward to another round of frothy, flowy, showstopping gowns to make their Emmys debut this Monday. Click through now for all of our favourite Emmy Awards gowns to date!

Spring is usually a time when we start swapping our dark Winter colours for a lighter palette, and this time round, you should focus on pink. From dust, powder hues to bold neon, designers like Marc Jacobs, Jil Sander, and Bottega Veneta embraced the colour as a new staple, adding a much welcomed jolt of colour to our cold weather wardrobe. Try pairing tailored pink wool shorts with a blazer and ankle boots for a tailored transitional look, or simply amp up your ladylike style in a printed pink shirtdress. Even if you're not traditionally a "pink girl," our editors' picks just might sway you the other way. Additional reporting by Robert Khederian

With The Amazing Spider-Man hitting theaters on July 4 in Oz, Emma Stone has been jet-setting around the world to promote the film, one polished red-carpet premiere and photocall ensemble at a time. The stunning starlet gives major props to her stylist for her style success, and we have to agree: Emma has given new meaning to the term "minimalist cool." Opting for sleek, albeit playful, silhouettes like the cobalt Carven dress she wore in NYC just yesterday, or the chic Jason Wu Resort '13 LWD which she teamed with Louboutin's über-popular Un Bout heel. Then there was that glam Bottega Veneta gown whe pulled out for the Rome premiere. How does she strike such a slick balance between sweet and fashion-forward? The beauty is in the details. Emma knows how to punch up her Spider-Man wardrobe simply by adding all the right accents, from the slick two-toned Stella McCartney pumps she wore in South Korea to the sophisticated houndstooth-print Salvatore Ferragamo pumps she showed off in Tokyo. To catch up on all of her promo looks, just keep clicking. Then be sure to check back soon for more of Emma's red-carpet style!

Mother's Day is all about spoiling, so why not treat mum to something that you know she'll treasure — a little luxury! If she's a fan of La Mer, Sisley and La Prairie, then you know she'll appreciate it. Better still, if she'd never dream of spending that much on herself then it's the perfect way to say "you're worth it, mum." From designer cosmetic cases to lust-have candles, savvy skincare and a makeup collab. with an Aussie design duo, there's plenty to pick from!

For Bottega Veneta's Fall 2012 collection, Tomas Maier showed us his take on wearable luxury, highlighting sleek suiting, sharp coats, and an impressive batch of evening wear. “The look is covered up and the materials are virtually impenetrable, yet the effect is powerfully physical,” said Maier. Day wear focused on tailored coats, cropped trousers, and skirt suits featuring brooch-adorned jackets, refined blazers, and knee-length pencil skirts dipped in purple, black, and navy hues. Meanwhile, '40s-inspired shift dresses were injected with a modern touch via sliced leather insets and statement prints. The latter was featured on a striking cap-sleeve dress with a bold corset belt. Evening wear honed in on Maier's love for texture; velvet and feathered cocktail dresses and peplum gowns emoted the perfect sense of opulence, with just the right amount of mystique. For his die-hard bag ladies, Maier provided a range of reptilian-print satchels and leather clutches featuring the brand's iconic woven intrecciato technique. More details from the collection below.

• Trends: Peplum, velvet, cropped trousers.
• Colours: Black, purple, grey, mauve, orange, brown, navy.
• Key Piece: The feather and jewel-embellished dresses were beautiful.
• Accessories: Knee-high boots, opera-length gloves, reptilian-print and woven satchels, jewelled brooches, ankle-strap pumps, sheer socks.
• Who Would Wear It: Victoria Beckham, Julianne Moore, and Diane Kruger; women who crave ladylike polish with a modern edge.