general pattern

The silhouette for slinky evening wear has maintained its form - lean and long - but where last year's dress was plain in colour and cut, now it features swooshes of bright colour, slashed necks, handkerchief hems and the kind of abstract, colour block prints reminiscent of the Seventies. Party on. Styling by Sally Courtis. Photographs by Franck Sauvaire

Right Jersey geometric print halter neck dress, pounds 260, by Clements Ribeiro, from Liberty, Regent Street, London W1; Selfridges, Oxford Street, London W1. Left Two tone grey silk jersey asymmetric sleeveless dress, pounds 620, by Gianni Versace, 34-36 Old Bond Street, London W1; black leather ankle strap stiletto court shoes, pounds 275, by Manolo Blahnik, 49-51 Old Church Street, London SW3; red tights, pounds 4.99, by Jonathan Aston, from department stores nationwide

Right Brown jersey halter neck dress with green and yellow insert, pounds 229, by Plein Sud, from Whistles, 12 St. Christophers Place, London W1; yellow sparkling sling back courts, to order from Ghost, enquiries 0181- 969 1264; Square silver ring from pounds 135, by Wright&Teague, from Liberty, as before

Left Wine organza asymmetric sleeveless dress, pounds 275; copper lurex stretch one shoulder dress worn on top, pounds 295, both D by Donna Karan, Donna Karan, 27 Old Bond Street London W1, enquiries 0171-499 8089

Styling Assistant Daniela Paudice

Hair Martuin Gayle at Marina Jones

Make-Up Hina Dohi at Streeters

Model Amaryllis