As the days get shorter, the nights grow longer, and the weather becomes increasingly colder, it’s safe to say we can no longer deny it – winter is fast approaching and summer is but a distant memory. And, dare I say it, there are only ninety days until Christmas!

So what many of us will be doing will be adding a bit of sparkle to our wardrobes for the festive season. Who doesn’t love a bit of glitz to brighten up the winter blues?

However, British designer Debbie Wingham may have taken the theme of glitz to a whole new level. She unveiled the world’s most expensive dress recently at Ukraine Fashion Week.

The black full-length evening gown is encrusted with fifty two-carat black diamonds and weighs a whopping 13kg (just over two stones!). It is the result of six months work, and is one of a collection of seven diamond-covered dresses. And if anyone feels like making a purchase just in time for Christmas, it costs almost €4.4m!

Debbie Wingham is a self-taught designer from Yorkshire who inherited her dressmaking skills from her seamstress mother.

In 2005, one of her dresses was worn to the BAFTAs, and a fashion journalist advised readers at the time to 'watch this space'. Seven years on, she counts A-Listers such as Kate Winslet, Dita Von Teese, Hilary Swank and Katherine Jenkins as fans of her designs and her creations have been featured in Vogue, Elle, Vanity Fair and Glamour.

The dress received mixed reviews at Ukraine Fashion Week. I for one think it’s stunning, but just a little out of my price range!