It's glamour all the way for this week's makeover as two of the organisers of the charity Think Pink get advice on how to look their best at a black-tie event, reports Emma Harrowing.

The glitz and glamour of London's West End is coming to Norwich later this year as cancer charity Think Pink is hosting a gala dinner at Open to raise money for Breakthrough Breast Cancer and Target Ovarian Cancer.

Two of the organisers – Sarah Softley, 46, and Ruth Thurston, 47 – are juggling organising the event while holding down their own businesses and jobs at the same time. Sarah runs event-management company Softley Events and Ruth is a hairdresser for Transformer.

Both women were nominated for a makeover by Anna Stevenson, co-owner of The Mill caf� bar and restaurant near Dereham, one of the sponsors of the Think Pink event.

The gala dinner is a red carpet event so both women need a suitable West End-style look for the big day. Life Matters puts them in the hands of the experts, with a fashion advisor, hair stylists and make-up artists, to give them a new look for the evening.

Clothes

Sarah and Ruth have different body shapes. Sarah is bigger on top than her bottom and Ruth is in proportion with a tiny waist. John Lewis fashion advisor Julia gives them advice on what style dresses will suit them so that they both look glamorous on the big day.

'Straight and classic shape dresses will suit Sarah as she is bigger on the top than the bottom which gives her a cone shape,' says Julia. 'A straight dress that is plain or has detail all over it will balance out her shape.

'For Ruth fussier styles with ruffles and ruching will suit her and, as she is petite, tailored styles that nip in at the waist will give her a neat sophisticated look.'

Julia picked a floor-length navy sequin dress for Sarah which is scooped at the neck to flatter her bust, is straight cut and has all over glitz that balances out her body shape.

For Ruth Julia chooses a bright coral tailored dress that has detail at the waist to accentuate Ruth's smallest part of her body and has ruffles around the neck which broaden her shoulders.

The looks are accessorised with glitter and metallic shoes and clutch bags, with a necklace for Sarah to add detail on her neckline and gold bangles for Ruth.

The look is finished with hair styling by Danielle and Taylor at Saks on Orford Hill in Norwich and make-up by Katherine and Margaret from the Elizabeth Arden counter in John Lewis.

The verdict

Sarah says: 'I love my look, in fact I'm thinking about buying the dress and getting my hair and make-up done exactly like this for the Think Pink gala dinner.'

Ruth says: 'It was great to find out what dresses suit me and to get advice on how to accessorise an outfit. The day has been great.'

The Think Pink Gala Dinner is on Saturday, October 6 at the Open venue in Norwich. Tickets cost �65 each. The charity organisation is looking for people and organisations to sponsor tables. If you or your business are interested or you would like tickets to the dinner call 01362 857191 or email bookings@softleyevents.co.uk