Before we start, I would like to emphasize that I have nothing but sympathy for all the makeup artists, fashion stylists and hairdressers who are missing their moments in the sun through the cancellation of the Golden Globes awards - and possibly of next month's Oscars - due to the writers' strike.

As is the case in every battle, it is the innocent people who suffer; and no matter what the outcome of the strikes may be, I think we can guarantee that the big studios will survive comfortably.

The furore about the chaos the cancellations would wreak on Los Angeles, with one estimate suggesting it will cost the city at least $200 million if the Oscars are scrapped - has been echoed by fashion designers, claiming that their financial loss will be, if not on a par, at least relatively comparable, because these events are more effective than advertisements in terms of brand recognition.