Fashion show weighs in against MS

Docklands businesswoman Beatrice Bartlay is hoping to raise money for multiple sclerosis charities in the UK and Poland with an exhibition of top togs, dance and music. She was inspired to hold the first event in 2007 by her father, who has suffered from MS for 30 years.

The managing director of employment consultancy 2B Interface said: "It's difficult to say that any disease is worse than another, but a lot of people are still unaware of how terrible this disease is.

"When someone discovers they suffer from it and know what they're going to go through, they can feel unwanted and very down. You're unable to walk and go to work, and sometimes you can't even speak.

"My father was very proactive, and he was very low when he found out. My mother tried to keep it from us when we were at school and doing exams, but I knew something was wrong. He didn't want to see people or do anything.

"It's very important to have people surrounding you to support and encourage you."

Beatrice set up a foundation in May 2007, and raised £2,000 at the first show in October that year. She opted not to hold a show last year during the downturn, but says it struck a chord with friends and fellow members of the Docklands Business Club.

She said: "The idea is that every woman is beautiful, no matter how tall, short, young or old. It's not exactly a fashion show. There are some professional models, but we're mostly ordinary people wearing clothes, walking for charity and showing our inner beauty."

The show will be free to enter, but there will be a charity raffle featuring travel tickets, pictures, hotel stays and iPods. It will be a showcase of fashions from the '20s until the present day, and stylists will be on hand to offer tips.

Beatrice is a fan of fashion herself, but doesn't feel that labels are essential to looking your best.

She said: "It's about your ideas, not your labels. If you can afford it and feel good in those clothes, that's great.

"But you can achieve something a bit different if you're willing to put the extra effort in. Sometimes you can buy a piece of jewellery in Greenwich Market for £5 and mix it with a black dress, and you can look like a million dollars."

The event will run from 7pm. To attend, go to fashandfun.co.uk or email office@fashandfun.co.uk

Beatrice's tips for looking fab:

"I'm not a fashion freak, but I like to keep my eyes open to see what's going on and adapt it to my style."

"Less is more. A nicely fitted dress and a jacket and scarf can look very elegant with black shoes and a small piece of jewellery."

"The most important thing is how the dresses are cut. For example, if you have a square neck and a dress that stops at the middle of the knee, it's easy to look glamorous. You don't have to wear a mini or anything."