Nancy goes east

The event was to honour women achievers in Britain's Asian community - and the special guests dressed in the appropriate style.

Nancy Dell'Olio went for the full-on Indian look, while the outfits worn by the Duchess of Cornwall and Cherie Blair were more understated.

Most onlookers agreed Camilla's brilliant turquoise silk suit, with a chiffon shawl across one shoulder, was an appropriately discreet nod towards the spirit of the evening. Mrs

Blair, for whom the Asian Women of Achievement Awards ceremony in London is an annual outing, wore a lilac trouser suit described by an aide as an East-meets-West version of the shalwar kameez.

Miss Dell'Olio - who, like Camilla, was making her first appearance at the event - opted for a stunning ivory dress.

The 43-year- old girlfriend of England football coach Sven-Goran Eriksson offset the dress with a head- dress by Rohit Bal, one of India's best-known designers.

Camilla arrived at the event with Prince Charles. The couple spent the evening chatting with finalists of the competition designed to celebrate the professional and personal achievements of Asian women across different sectors of society.

The top honour at the ceremony went to Shami Chakrabarti, director of human rights organisation Liberty, while corporate businesswoman of the year was Jyoti Munsiff, Shell's highest-ranking female employee. Young achiever was Ayesha Hazarika, from London, who works for music giant EMI by day and is a stand-up comedian by night.