Advanced Style: London book launch

Ari with Daphne Selfe and Fanny Karst.

Even though I'd had an early preview of the Advanced Style book, I was practically hyperventilating when I arrived at the London launch party last night. All my heroes in one room, this felt like a grown-up style summit. And I felt like a giddy child who's overdone it on the Haribos. When I finally managed to calm down, I had a lovely chat with Daphne Selfe, who as you all know is 83-years-old and still modelling. Here she is with Fanny Karst from The Old Ladies' Rebellion, both wearing outfits from the latest collection. So, Daphne is an octogenarian supermodel, just this week she's been on the graduate catwalk circuit and has featured in the Guardian. The Hertfordshire-based model stays fit and healthy doing yoga everyday and has even invented some of her own moves.

The place was jam-packed full of fabulous older women - but, I was borderline hysterical and could barely speak, let alone take photos. So the picture below is from Susie Bubble's site - her photos are excellent, you really should take a look. This wonderful lady makes her own jewellery and apparently, Tatty Devine have signed her up. She's like our very own Iris Apfel, don't you think?

Photo: Susie Bubble

And here's the blogger Very Old Grandmother, who Ari spotted last time he was in London:

Photo: Susie Bubble

I like how ASC's bubblegum pink suit matches Zandra Rhodes' hair. Now, this is a photo I took with the Advanced Style iPhone, so I'm sure it's OK to use it! Thanks, Ari.

The book signing/party/best night of my life was in the Mary Portas shop over at House of Fraser. Of course, Mary was there. Decked out in her own gear (animal print trousers, now £69.30, throw-on shirt, £125). Sorry this one's a bit shaky, the Queen of Shops has that effect on me:

When Ari met Mary. And the uber-stylish Virginia Bates.

One of the best dressed women of the entire evening was the multi-talented Thelma Speirs.

Photo: Fred Butler

The hat designer, DJ and muse proves that sparkle never goes out of style, and white slingbacks can look cool. Here she is on the decks wearing 'all her old clothes' and a gorgeous necklace made by a friend.

And, if I wasn't emotional enough already, Ari's lovely comment in my book made me well up with pride: