STYLE COUNSEL: Be a Liberty belle

Ever wanted to wear high fashion designer-label clothes, but felt they were unapproachable, or too obviously "trendy"? The Independent fashion team can help. Next Wednesday at Liberty of Regent Street, we are holding a special evening for readers hosted by our senior stylist Sophia Neophitou, and fashion editor Tamsin Blanchard.

The aim is to help demystify fashion by being talked through current men's and women's designer collections, and also having the chance to meet a few up-and-coming British fashion designers - including Next Big Thing Tristan Webber, Fraser Moss and Jimmy Collins from unisex label YMC, and Kenneth Mackenzie of men's label 6876. "People don't need to be afraid of designers," says Neophitou, "I want our readers to learn new ways of looking at fashion, so that buying into a label doesn't have to be a literal copy of what we see on the catwalk." Neophitou herself treats designer pieces like individual "finds".

"I have a mix and match attitude. I buy designer clothes as if I were at a flea market, and mix them with antique items, or even other designer pieces that are a few years old. It is important for people to have the confidence to shop for themselves and find their own style."

The evening will consist of a talk followed by champagne, canapes and readers' questions about seasonal trends and wardrobe dilemmas such as: "I'm a size 16 and I can't find an evening gown", or "I never wear colours, but I want to - how do I choose the right thing?".

In addition, make-up artists from NARS and nail technicians from Tina & Tony will be offering mini make-overs, and even better there will be a 15 per cent discount on any fashion items purchased on the night, as well as a NARS goodie-bag to take away. Designers for men and women at Liberty include Issey Miyake, Shirin Guild, French & Teague, Alexander McQueen, Hussein Chalayan, Tristan Webber, Clements Riberio, John Galliano, Maria Grachvogel, Nicole Farhi, Ghost, Martin Margiela, John Rocha, Helmut Lang and more. The Independent fashion team will be on hand, and it costs just pounds 5.

The event takes place on Wednesday 25 March, 6.30pm-8.30pm and there are 150 tickets available. Send a cheque payable to Liberty Plc to Jo Childs, Liberty Press Office, Regent Street, London W1R 6AH to arrive no later than Monday 23rd March.