Top bridal and eveningwear designer Ian Stuart hits the right buttons once again with his Chocolate Box Collection of scrumptious designs in special occasion and cocktail dresses. Colours, fabrics and textures are mixed together with luxurious embellishments and decorations. Seen here: black taffeta metal and tulle strapless evening gown with a fishtail skirt, bow and sequin trim, £1,110 (separate matching wrap available, £135).
Chiffon and devoré evening gowns and cocktail dresses are among the partywear choices from Jacques Vert. Plum, a key colour in collections across the board, features in the label’s autumn winter range, as do trends like sequins, beads and matching boleros. Pictured: plum dress embellished with sequins and beads on a delicate chiffon overlay, £199, Jacques Vert
Award-winning occasionwear label John Charles has a capsule selection of LBDs among a wonderful collection of cocktail and eveningwear for autumn and winter. Exposed zips, weaved chiffon and striking gold chain features figure high on the agenda. Pictured: black ruched chiffon strapless dress with a striking chain halter neck, £440, John Charles
Designer accessory brand Suzy Smith uses sexy satins, velvets and sequins in the new evening bag collection featuring clutches and X-bodies. Pictured: black oversized sequinned clutch bag with a gem clasp and detachable strap, £49, also in damson and silver, Suzy Smith
Creations from Italian designer label Save The Queen! reflect a modern take on the images and stylistic elements of culture. The new collection has both long and mini dresses in distinctive styles guaranteed to turn heads. Seen here: midnight viscose/polyester evening dress with a royal blue and peach print, £328, Save The Queen!
Lulu Guinness created her first lips clutch bag six years ago. Since then, she’s added new colours and styles to what has become a brand icon. Pictured: Lips snakeskin clutch bag embellished with Swarovski crystals, £595, Lulu Guinness
Cult Spanish label Hoss Intropia mixes jacquards, devoré silks and satins inspired by the Far East in its latest eveningwear collection. The label has also enlisted supermodel Carmen Kass as the brand’s new ambassador. Pictured: Carmen wears a black and cream print silk mix dress with a tie front, £253, Hoss Intropia
Leading Belgian fashion company Linea Raffaelli, internationally known for bridal and formal designs in sumptuous fabrics such as Swiss lace and Italian, Thai and Indian silks, also produces a cocktail and occasion wear collection twice yearly. Seen here: Linea Raffaelli gold/violet silk taffeta halter neck evening dress with a ruffle collar and flower detail, £729. Jewellery by Linea Raffaelli: violet earrings, £28, necklace, £84, bracelet, £70
Jewel shades and classic black hit the headlines in the autumn winter collection from Gina Bacconi. Ruffles, diamante clasps, animal prints, shimmering fabrics and lots of sparkle via sequins and beads are also among the other on-trend details. Seen here: long claret jersey one-shoulder dress with a beaded bodice and ruffle trim, £240, also in cosmic blue and black, Gina Bacconi
Occasionwear designer Ann Balon uses exquisite Italian lace to create dress/jacket and three-piece combinations for cocktail parties, weddings and special nights out. Pictured: Italian lace lined dress in jade with appliqué detail on the straps, and matching jacket with three-quarter sleeves, sequins and appliqué detail, £640, (available in other colours including violet, blue, bronze, cappuccino, black, cornflower and cyclamen), Occasions Collection by Ann Balon
Frank Usher, the brand famous for sophisticated and glamorous eveningwear, offers a confection of strapless designs, fake fur boleros, cocktail-length dresses and sexy gowns for the party season. Seen here: long emerald strapless beaded gown with an oversized bow trim, £419, (bolero notshown), Frank Usher
Sophisticated glamour and a sexy image are key trends in the eveningwear collection from Vera Mont. Designs range from swinging dance dresses to close-fitting stretch satin styles. Pictured: flowing dress in fresh berry shades and animal print with an opulent pearl embroidered collar, £299, Vera Mont