Marie Claire launches Inspire & Mentor at glittering London party

Sarah Brown, Naomie Harris and a whole host of inspirational British women last night descended on London's Ivy Club for the launch of Inspire & Mentor with Marie Claire

Sarah Brown, Naomie Harris and a whole host of inspirational British women last night descended on London's Ivy Club for the launch of Inspire & Mentor with Marie Claire.

SEE ALL THE PHOTOS HERE

Held to celebrate the leading female figures from the worlds of fashion, beauty, business, politics and science, the event not only marked the launch of our May issue (out next week), but a new campaign, in association with the Prince's Trust, which will offer Marie Claire readers the chance to be mentored by 17 of the most influential women in Britain, including the likes of Kelly Hoppen, Liz Earle, Marcia Kilgore and Michelle Mone. (Full details about the campaign can be found in the May issue and we'll be opening up the application process online next week.)

As one of the most passionate supporters of our new campaign, Sarah Brown made an inspiring speech last night, calling on women from all walks of life to reach out and help other women onto the rungs of success.

She was followed onto the podium by Lorna Knapman, a Prince's Trust success story, having turned her life around thanks to the charity's own mentoring scheme. After leaving school with few qualifications and becoming a single mother shortly after, she has since set up a mobile healthy-food business and subsequently the award-winning Love Food Festival, backed by both financial and mentoring support from the Prince's Trust.

Hollywood star and Marie Claire cover girl Naomie Harris brought the speeches to a close, followed by a live performance by up-and-coming singing star (and Amy Winehouse mentoree!) Dionne Bromfield.

SEE all the PARTY PHOTOS here and click back next week for full details on how you can get involved with Inspire & Mentor with Marie Claire.