Fashion: The sequin trick

It's starting again - that interminable round of pre-Christmas bashes. Transforming yourself into a glittering creature of the night after a day of office drudgery is never easy. But as any self- respecting party girl will tell you, the most important thing to remember is this: don't be shy. So say yes to that Farrah Fawcett wave, yes to the shimmering silver and trailing veils, and yes please to anything diamante

Above: black dress with diamante strap, pounds 360, by Paco Rabanne, from Dickins and Jones, Regent Street, London W1, enquiries 0171 734 7070; black scarf, pounds 3, from Cornucopia, as before

Left: pale blue devore velvet bodysuit with tails, pounds 550; pink skirt, pounds 230; both by Ghost, 36 Ledbury Road, London W11, enquiries 0181 960 3121; blue diamante high heels, pounds 323, by Gina Couture, 189 Sloane Street, London SW1, enquiries 0171 235 2932

PHOTOGRAPHER MARTIN CROOK

PHOTOGRAPHER'S ASSISTANT DEBORAH BROWN

STYLIST HOLLY WOOD

HAIR AND MAKE UP BEVERLY BROOKE AT JULIE BRAMWELL REPRESENTS USING PRESCRIPTIVES

MODELS LOUISE HARGREAVES AND ESSI AT SELECT