Girl-about-town: Gwyneth Paltrow encountered a number of fellow A-listers in London last night

Gwyneth Paltrow has shied away from the spotlight in recent years, but when she stepped out last night wearing a tiny mini skirt she was right back in the centre of attention.

The actress visited the exclusive Aspinall's Casino in London's West End, where good pal, Courtney Love, was in attendance, as was the heiress Jemima Khan and her brother Ben Goldsmith.

Wearing a little black dress, which did a good job of showing off her long legs, there was little danger of Love stepping on her outfit and tearing it, as she did a few weeks back to Kate Moss's Dior number at the Victoria and Albert museum.

Earlier in the evening, the willowy New Yorker, 35, met up with best friend Stella McCartney and her father Sir Paul at a gallery launch.

Paltrow was on hand to offer some moral support to the former Beatle who had spent an unsuccessful eight hours yesterday trying to hammer out a divorce deal with Heather Mills.

The McCartney clan were out in force for the exhibition of Stella's husband Alasdhair Willis - Stella's brother James and older sister Mary also turned up.

In contrast to the majority of celebrities who look worse-for-wear after a night on the tiles, Paltrow, who favours a macrobiotic diet and yoga, managed to remain the epitome of high class chic throughout.

Since marrying Coldplay singer Chris Martin in 2003 and becoming a mother to Apple and Moses, Paltrow has shunned the spotlight, only occasionally turning up at film festivals.

Gwyneth famously complained about London's bad weather and dirty streets, although last night it seemed she was the self-appointed head girl of the capital's high society.

"Bring a raincoat, definitely...or at least a little umbrella that can fit in your bag, because it always does rain," Paltrow said two years ago to Marie Claire.

Gwyneth hooked up with best friend Stella McCartney at the exhibition of the designer's husband, Alasdhair Willis, in London's West End

Gwyneth with an equally-stylish Thandie Newton

As for hygiene in the capital, Paltrow added: "I'm just like 'The street is filthy, could we take off our shoes before we come into the house'."

However Paltrow has grown fond of her adopted homeland : "I really love living here, I'm very happy. It's a very nice, civilised life.

"I don't know, America sometimes, with the whole psychology of achieving, achieving, achieving and people talking about money at dinner parties, I find it's not where I am right now," Paltrow said of her adopted homeland.

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Jemima Khan attended the exclusive Aspinalls last night in London

The heiress, who ended her relationship with Hugh Grant earlier this year, was with younger brother Ben Goldsmith

American singer Courtney Love joined pal Gwyneth at The Aspinalls

Her and Martin divide their time between their homes in London and New York.

Elsewhere in the capital last night, supermodel Elle MacPerson, 44, attended the Cartier Frieze Dinner where she towered over fellow guest, artist Tracey Emin.

However the two appeared to get on famously, at one point jokingly air kissing.

Supermodel Elle MacPherson plays up with artist Tracey Emin at London's Cartier Frieze Dinner last night