Warm hug for best pal Kate as she checks out Stella's new collection

June 3, 2008Jun 3, 2008, 11:00 PM GMT+1

Stella McCartney was clearly thrilled to have gal pal Kate Hudson on hand as she presented designs from her spring 2009 collection in New York's trendy West Village district this week.

The actress, nautical chic in white trousers, a sheer blouse and navy blazer, received a warm hug from her British designer chum as she arrived at the outdoor party.

New York-based Kate, who recently bought a new home in the city for her and four-year-old son Ryder, is currently filming Bride Wars in the city alongside The Devil Wears Prada actress Anne Hathaway. That doesn't mean she doesn't have time for new love interest Lance Armstrong, though. She apparently invited the former cycling champ to pop along to the set for a visit last week.

While Kate was treated to a glimpse of her British pal's latest sartorial offerings at the Tuesday night gathering, there was one item from the collection which had already enjoyed a high-profile debut. Madonna wore a design from the 2009 collection - a striking coral pink satin number - to a red carpet event at last month's Cannes Film Festival.

The actress gets an enthusiastic embrace from her British designer chum as she arrives at a New York garden party where Stella was presenting her 2009 collectionPhoto: © Rex y

Kate, who was summer chic in a sheer blouse and white trousers, is based in the Big Apple - which makes working on her new movie especially handy as it's being filmed in the city Photo: © Rex

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