The inaugural DELUXE best dressed list

1. Lupita Nyong'o

Best newcomer

How do you rise to the top of a best-dressed list in just a matter of weeks? One: know your style. With a devoted patronage of block colours Lupita hasn't put a heel wrong, stealing the show at the Golden Globes in a scarlet Ralph Lauren cape dress. Two: choose your moment. Red-carpet January is the perfect time to launch a Hollywood career and an assault on planet fashion. Three: keep the right company. After her heart-breaking turn in 12 Years a Slave, she's always on the McQueen, Cumberbatch and Fassbender tables, a lone glamazon among all that Hollywood muscle. No wonder she stands out - even Anna Wintour's been on the phone. And just think: three months ago, nobody even knew her name.

2. Diane Kruger

Shape-shifter

Can you believe it, the most chic woman on the planet isn’t even French. The German actress last seen in an Inglourious Basterds bloodbath is a total shape-shifter; she can go strapless or floor-length, belted or caped, print-clashed or primary-coloured. Such versatility must be a dream for Diane as she pulls off architectural pieces by all the labels we know we should be wearing (Preen, Carven, Mary Katrantzou) but can’t actually make work. We want to shout ‘bitch’ but she just looks too nice.

3. Victoria Beckham

Monochrome queen

Hello friend! We feel close to VB now she’s back in town and setting up shop, but she’s learned a lot from her time in Madrid and LA. So when she says Posh is dead forever, we believe her. These days she dresses like she was born stylish, and the fact we know she wasn’t makes her all the more appealing. Here come some culottes, there goes a sleeveless coat. She’s serving monochrome right now and rarely gets too colourful. We cheer such consistency but also suggest a few more daring choices once the shop is up and running.

4. Alexa Chung

Absolutely flawless

We give up: every time we think that the whole flat shoes, skimpy shorts and a top-and-cardi combo has been consigned to fashion’s cringe-pile, Alexa does it again. Witness a recent day out in LA with pal Pixie Geldof, when she sashayed forth in a smock made apparently from a tea towel. And looked great. It comes down to attitude. No matter how much people ask exactly what she does, or poke fun at her book, It, she just keeps on hanging around in vintage Chanel with hip muso boyfriends and getting it so right. Sigh.

5. Emma Watson

Girl wonder

Em’s had a busy year; becoming bezzies with Sofia Coppola, winning GQ’s Woman of the Year and guest-editing Wonderland magazine. But there’s a subtext; someone doesn’t want to be Mrs Ron Weasley any more (even JKR said she should have got with Harry). So it’s out with the Boden, in with the Balenciaga. If it’s split, slashed or flat stomach-flattering, send it to Emma. She can work a trouser, rock a skirt and if both come along at once (see red Dior trouser dress, above), even better. Ten out of ten for effort. Welcome to the top five.

6. Solange Knowles

Hipster sister

We would love Solange even if she wasn’t Beyoncé’s sister. The singer just knows how to wear clothes. Let’s start with the hair, which, whether it’s in a FROW fro or fashion dreads, is flipping marvellous. She shows how hipster chicks can go glam (pay attention, Dalston) without losing their individuality. Print-clash, block colours and bold accessories are her thing, and ever since Solange stepped out of her big sis’ shadow with EP True, she hasn’t put a limited-edition Nike Flyknit wrong.

7. Rita Ora

Fifty shades of fab

Hate her or adore her, there’s no denying Rita Ora’s currency is on the rise. These days the hip-pop singer is gadding about with supermodels and bagging herself top campaigns with DKNY and Chanel, not to mention a role in the Fifty Shades film. As her fiery bust-ups with Cara D go to show, Rita never plays safe; she can do flirty, she can do fierce, but thanks to that jaunty blonde bob she does it all with Marilyn Monroe-style glamour. With her spot-on streetwear, structured tailoring and wowee frocks, Rita has a fashion cupboard we covet.

8. Tilda Swinton

Mannish, moi?

Is there anyone else on the planet who can rock finger-in-a-plug-socket hair and a metallic gold trouser? No. Every time the otherworldly actress steps out, the fashion world gasps. She has turned eccentric dressing into an art form, with a little help from Haider Ackermann (for structured minimalism), Pringle (for dog-walking on the moors) and Chanel (to really dazzle on the red carpet). We long for a white tuxedo jumpsuit to wear to premieres, but watching Girls on the sofa in our white fleece onesie will have to do for now.

9. Rooney Mara

What dragon tattoo?

She wowed us as a ferocious bisexual hacker in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and ever since she’s been wielding some serious fashion power, compensating for her on-screen tough cookie persona with a soft, white palette that’s dainty, feminine and edgy. A Vogue cover, some frolicking good shoots, a directionally blunt fringe and equally hip actress sister have all helped secure her position on the style A-list. Givenchy, Balenciaga and McQueen have all played leading roles in Rooney’s rampage. We’re off to see her in Spike Jonze’s Her tonight.

10. Clemence Poesy

She’s no flower

Oh Clémence. We’ve had our eye on you since you let Eddie Redmayne do all sorts of wicked things to you in Birdsong while retaining your grace and dignity And your performances off-camera are just as magnetic. Whether you’re tomboyish in Burberry or dressing down a Chanel bouclé with biker boots and jeans, you look like you’ve spent your whole life smoking insouciantly on the Canal Saint-Martin. You are the French exchange partner we always wanted, but never got.