Secrets of the most stylish women in fashion

Anna Dello Russo, Japanese Vogue’s fashion director at large, doesn't shy away from colour and enjoys breaking the rules. It is hard to top her for wow factor. Generally her wardrobe works to a simple statement dressing formula with excellent use of accessories Photograph: Jo Jones/Helen Seamons

Use playful accessories to lift a classic outfit. This navy Lanvin suit is a more sombre colour choice for Anna but she injects her personality with fun accessories. Don't be afraid to rework old favourites: these YSL Cherry shoes are several seasons old but we spotted Anna in the red, black and green versions in Milan. If you find something that you really love then it is worth buying it in more than one colour Photograph: Jo Jones/Helen Seamons

Monochrome is a fairly safe colour combo but by experimenting with print it becomes really high impact. Play with print and use a belt to divide and define Photograph: Jo Jones/Helen Seamons

You would have to be body confident to rock this Dolce & Gabbana sheer lace dress but you can think about experimenting with fabrics. A slip under a lace dress or a singlet under a blouse makes it a whole lot less scary and doesn’t shout ‘look at me’ Photograph: Jo Jones/Helen Seamons

A gold, power-shoulder dress may sound like something Alexis Carrington would wear to a cocktail party, but Anna manages to make it work in daylight hours by choosing a grounding wedge heel instead of strappy stilettos. OK, so this look is not for wallflowers, but we love that Anna hasn't saved it just for evening. Brighten up a dull meeting with a metallic loose tee under a blazer Photograph: Jo Jones/Helen Seamons

Another bold colour and a flattering shape hitting just above the knee. Keep the shoes simple - like these delicate T-bars - to balance the focus. The tiny pendant works well with this heavily embellished belt Photograph: Jo Jones/Helen Seamons

Wow, this is our favourite look! We love the colour and the exquisite detailing. The shorter hemline keeps it modern. This outfit flies in the face of the 'less is more' mantra. We are also coveting the Chloe triple bow shoes Photograph: Jo Jones/Helen Seamons

We love Carine Roitfeld’s slick style. In the winter you will always see the editor-in-chief of French Vogue modelling the most desirable statement coat and super-sexy high heels Photograph: Eric Ryan/Getty Images

Carine must have an entire wardrobe solely dedicated to coats. This Mongolian lamb coat by Dolce & Gabbana is tres chic. If attempting this look, keep everything else simple Photograph: Miquel Benitez/ Rex Features

Aside from her statement coats, Carine's style is cool and understated. This grey skirt suit by Alexander McQueen is simple with an ultramodern twist. The slim fitting really suits her frame Photograph: Dominique Charriau/WireImage

Sometimes a simple black shirtdress is all a girl needs. Top the look with a carefully chosen pendant and killer over-the-knee lace-up boots (these are by Christian Louboutin) and you’ll stand out from the crowd Photograph: Venturelli/WireImage

This simple silhouette works for Carine, and we love the layering of the lace under the shirt so much that we have been inspired to invest in a lace body. The Alaia heels speak for themselves. We never see Carine schlepping around with a huge bag, 'It' or not. A small clutch is her limit. True fashion royalty Photograph: Matt Baron/BEI / Rex Features

As the creative director of fashion glossy Harpers Bazaar, and editor-in-chief of style bible 10 magazine, Sophia Neophitou is a lady at fashion's coalface and has her finger well and truly on the pulse. We love her 'sexy with a rock edge' look.
Here she's working her signature silhouette with this Alaia skirt and Christopher Kane biker jacket. The leather gives the outfit a harder edge but the skirt's fluid hem adds a playful feel.
If you are wearing an all black look, be brave and go for a bold shoe and/or experiment with textures, such as shearing and leather Photograph: Jo Jones/Helen Seamons

Know what works for your shape. Sophia has found the right silhouette for her curvaceous figure. She confidently layers the softer line of this Roland Mouret jacket over body-con by Herve Leger. We love the contrast of the leg-lengthening Balenciaga shoes Photograph: Jo Jones/Helen Seamons

Think outside the box. Sophia’s Undercover jacket is from the men's department and its proportions frame her nipped-in leather jacket perfectly. She is also the only editor on the front row with this piece. A browse in the menswear section can turn up some real treasures that you won’t see on all your friends Photograph: Jo Jones/Helen Seamons

We love the double layering of two buttersoft jackets, and the fact that Sophia has confidently created a working uniform. The look is super-sexy but with her own twist, courtesy of the shoes Photograph: Jo Jones/Helen Seamons