Glamorous gowns, sparkling jewellry and fabulous prizes -- organisers say that this weekend's charity gala has all the hallmarks to be a night to remember.

Renowned designer Amsale Aberra and her glorious gowns will headline the Kardias Club's Evening of Glamour and Romance this weekend at the Southampton Princess Hotel.

And a few lucky patrons will be able to walk away with a piece of the enchanting evening thanks to an assortment of fabulous raffle prizes that will be up for grabs.

The celebrated New York designer to the rich and famous -- including many of today's Hollywood stars -- has donated one of her fabulous designs -- valued at $3,000 -- as a prize in the Kardias Club's Glamour and Romance Fashion Show Raffle.

The $10 per ticket raffle is part of a charity/fashion extravaganza which will bring Amsale's Fall/holiday 1999/2000 collection to Bermuda this weekend.

Ticket holders also have the opportunity to win an Astwood and Dickinson green tourmaline and diamond necklace worth an estimated $9,250 and a cruise for two on the Norwegian Majesty courtesy of Meyer Agencies.

A $500 A.S. Cooper's shopping spree, a weekend-for two at the Southampton Princess Hotel and a Louis Vuitton bag, courtesy of Toleram's, will also be raffled off during the evening.

The winners will be announced at Saturday's stylish gala. Tickets for the event are $95 and are available at Opus Encore on Reid Street.

"The evening will kickoff with a buffet and free open bar,'' explained the Kardias Club's Betty Peterson.

"There will be a small pre-fashion show featuring sports and business wear from Gibbons Company and A.S. Coopers.'' Then, the luxurious evening attire and breathtaking bridal gowns of Amsale will take centre stage.

"Twenty models have volunteered their time for this event,'' Mrs. Peterson said.

"Astwood and Dickinson has graciously provided jewellry for the models to wear with the gowns.

"I've seen the 2000 Millennium collection and it is spectacular!'' Amsale director of communications Lindsay Mann said the collection was built on the designer's signature -- show-stopping full floor-length gowns, reflecting romance and old Hollywood glamour.

Plenty of luxurious Duchess satin, silk chiffon, wool shantung and taffeta are used to created the soft, but structured shapes which form the framework for the collection.

And according to Ms Mann, Amsale's focal point for this collection is the bodice, with bustier-style tops with fitted natural or dropped waists that shape the body.

Necklines vary from deep scoop and square styles to high jewel necks with cut-out shoulders. To add to the dresses, rather than overwhelm them, beading, lace and organza detailing are kept delicate and to a minimum.

And thanks to the generosity of Continental Airlines the mastermind behind these enchanting designs, who also happens to be married to Bermudian Neil Brown, will be on the Island and attending the fashionable event.

Kardias member Deborah Jackson pointed out that the evening will be an elegant yet relaxed event, by no means a stuffy black-tie affair.

And she urged locals to come out and support the event since all proceeds will go to A Child's Wish, a charity which grants wishes and acts in the benefit of children experiencing some catastrophic event, life threatening illness or ongoing medical challenge.

"It is all for a good cause,'' she said.

The Kardias Club, derived from the Greek words `kardia' and `kardiakos' which mean heart, has been quietly doing good deeds since its inception in the 1940's.

Over the years, the Kardias Club has furnished the playroom of the Sunshine League and Hinson Ward at St. Brendan's Hospital, donated kitchen and laundry equipment to the Matilda Smith Williams home and awarded several scholarships.

If you are not able to attend the soiree, you will still have a chance to view the fashion mogul's designs up close. Two of the Ethiopian-born designer's dresses will be on display in the windows of A.S. Coopers this weekend.

Glamour and romance: Alley McBeal actress Lucy Lui models an elegant Amsale gown.

Flair for fashion: Designer Amsale Aberra will be attending the glittering occasion.