Harrods will always be one of my favourite places to drift through in London. There is always something to captivate on every visit and I often liken it to going to the near-by V&A except the wonderful things here, many works of great craftsmanship are actually for sale.

In the run-up to the flat racing season and feature race events in the social calendar such as The Derby, Ascot and Glorious Goodwood later in the Summer, Harrods have shown that they are not settling for second best in the society fashion stakes.

I've never mentioned Harrods to much do far on A Blush of Rose but I'd like to tell readers who don't pass through it's halls too often that it's bang up to date. It's not the fusty store that older generations of your family my have known. There's a very committed fashion team that keep tradition and the tradition of elegance alive with renewed energy and vigour.

Any how I was very struck by the image of suited ladies in fine hats from Philip Treacy and Stephen Jones that greeted me at the top of the west escalator from ground floor to First.

Ascot are making a push this year with their dress code enforcement. Beware all those who dare to bare a little too much in the wrong place at the wrong time, you may find yourself being gently - if firmly - wrapped in a pashmina (not guaranteed to coordinate). One thing off the menu that was acceptable in years past in the way of head gear is the fascinator. A small crown covered with feathers or even an headband with 'furnishings' is no longer considered millinery.

I think Harrods impresses on the sheer volume of formal wear that looks bang up to date across a miriad spectrum of colours and designer Labels. You can work many themes, go Chanel, Dior or Valentino or choose a smaller independent label.

and on the racing theme....

After being at Ascot's 300th anniversary last year I'm looking forward again the racing season and also attended the Leather Forever Hermes exhibition at Burlington Arcade in Mayfair, London. It was wonderful to see a retrospective that also showed the traditional craftsmanship that went onto several of the well known designs from the Hermes Stables.

The exhibition really made a strong statement about Hermes deep routes in the equine world. Showcasing their attention to detail in the early harnesses and bridals that developed sympathetic treatment of liveried Horses in France establishes them to a younger new generation as not just a fashion name but also as a part of racing and equine sport in the last 200 years.

I really enjoyed the look back at the history of different bags. My two favourites from the back catalogue would probably be the Market Back, a simple bag sometimes known as a Champagne Flute Carrier and the variation of the traditional equine Nose Bag for Horse Feed.

I think the Birkin is a fine bag and many women crave them, alas I don’t aspire to join their company. I do think the lady herself, Jean Birkin along with Princess Grace of Monaco who also inspired a classic, where goddesses of the brand. My tastes are more simple and old fashioned, and equine. I'm more than satisfied with my look into the archive of wonders from Hermes. It's also wonderful to see a brand still owned by it's founding family.

Christian Louboutin - London Musuem of Design.

I went to the Christian Louboutin Exhibition with my very talented graphic designer friend Florine to see this seminal work by one of fashion's most pivotal Shoe Designers.

This is a great venue. Sitting up at the mouth of Thames it sit's at a gateway to the heart of the capital.