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The Button Club’s spectacular Pink Panther Ball was held at the Hurlingham Club on Friday night. Stars joined hosts Kaja Wunder and Henry Northcroft for this elegant 1960’s Valentine’s masquerade.
Inspector Clouseau greeted revellers in the entrance hall. I walked my guests through into the deliciously low-lit reception area where the clinking sound of champagne glasses and laughter mingled with the cool, loved up Pink Panther theme tune. Shimmering lights enveloped the room and bathed the guests in a rosy pink glow, creating a mysterious mellow sunset over the regal looking partygoers, and waiters welcomed lavishly dressed ladies and sophisticated gentlemen with trays of exotic cocktails, which had been lovingly decorated with flowers. The whole aura exuded the spirit of the 1960’s jet-setting crowd, and transported guests back in time to an Aladdin’s cave of theatrical, Hollywood glamour.
David Niven’s suave style was adopted by many of the gentlemen. Slicked back hair and crimson, velvet smoking jackets were de rigueur. I glanced around me to see a sea of moustaches and mackintoshes. One chap sported a Napoleon Bonaparte costume, and other elaborate guises joined the costumed theatricals. I spotted one chap dressed as a pantomime dame in a stunning wig and ballgown. The dame arrived with a girl dressed in a sailor suit. They must have become terribly confused later on in the evening. I was unsure who was lurking beneath the dame’s wig – a famous rock star perhaps? He, or rather she, certainly caught the eye of one cad about town. I hope he’s recovered.
Dressed in a shimmering, bright cerise ballgown and matching gloves, the party’s graceful hostess, Kaja Wunder, welcomed her guests into the pink room. Purple and cerise feathers adorned Kaja’s hair, and her costume had a touch of Scarlett O’Hara, ‘Gone With The Wind’ magic about it.
Ladies had teased and coiffured their locks into heavily backcombed beehive hairstyles, while others had opted for an Alice-band, feathers in the hair, or in the case of many guests, an Audrey Hepburn soft upstyle.
A man wearing a Pink Panther costume appeared amongst the smiling faces, and gathered singer Hayley Westenra up in his arms for a photograph. Model Hofit Golan, arrived dressed in an elegant black gown, and Liz Fuller was as colourful as ever in a red and pink dress teamed with a pink fluffy stole.
Just as I was sipping a glass of champagne and taking in the setting, I spied an ex-boyfriend glancing over at me. I turned on my glittery, pink shoes and made my way towards the evening’s host – the dashing Henry Northcroft and his lady friend, Katya. Henry sported a 1960’s wig and matching accessories, and Katya had polished off her look with an Elizabeth Taylor styled black wig. A delightful chap called ‘Nash’ from Bristol joined them.
As my ex-boyfriend inched closer, I edged towards the back of the room, where I came across the talented ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ star, Brendan Cole. He was immaculately dressed and charming, and it wasn’t long before a stunning brunette whisked him off for a dance. Brendan had opted for the caddish David Niven casino look, and showed up wearing a cerise cravat. Ladies sporting Ursula Andress outfits glanced furtively over at him and kicked up their heels to the amazing band ‘Sway’. Later in the evening another band, ‘Holah’ showed up. They were equally fantastic, and girls flocked to take a look at them belting out their hits on another stage. I teetered off on my disco shoes, when I noticed my ex-boyfriend at the other end of the dance floor. He was chatting to a scantily clad lady who was dressed in a pink baby doll and little else. I felt safe, and swapped mobile numbers with a bushy eye-browed dentist named Jeremy Brace. He seemed impressed that I’d only ever had one filling, and after careful inspection, advised me that I have “the fangs of an angel”. However, romance died somewhat when I slipped on a wet patch of Vodka, and accidentally bit him.
The hosts and Hurlingham Club staff had carefully planned every detail. Crystals resembling diamonds had been sprinkled over the tabletops, and one lucky guest won a real diamond, which Bond Street jewellers Chatila, had generously provided.
Other celebrities included model Lindsay Stoppard, designer Scott Henshall, Harriet Scott from radio station Heart 106.2, and television presenter Mark Huggins. I was also delighted to spot Rick Yune from the James Bond Film ‘Die Another Day’ at the party.
If you didn’t attend The Pink Panther Ball, Inspector Clouseau will track you down and bring you to justice! This was a truly memorable night out. Sir Charles “The Phantom” would have been proud. |
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