Did Local Celeb Ball Mark the End of an Era?

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Royalty and Hollywood stars party in local stately home

As financial markets tumbled last week a lavish A-list bash at Parkstead House in Roehampton may in retrospect be seen as marking the end of an era. The event, which was organised by designer Nicky Haslam, brought together royalty with Hollywood stars such as Martin Scorsese and Uma Thurman plus rock legends such as Sir Michael Jagger and Bryan Ferry.

The 1500 guests were told to wear only diamonds and violet couture for the ladies and black for the men in an event for which estimates of the cost start at £200,000. The ballroom contained a revolving dancefloor and was modelled on the film, Ziegfeld Follies.

As well as Princess Michael of Kent, the Duchess of York with her daughters Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, the Dames Vivienne Westwood and Judi Dench, Jemima Khan, Cilla Black and Paris Hilton were in attendance.

The 18th Century villa, which was the home of the Nicky Haslam's great-great-great-great-grandfather, was filled with violets. Outside the trees in the grounds were sprayed silver. A 14 piece orchestra was flown in from Paris to play and the food was supplied by Le Caprice.

The party was held in honour of art collector Janet de Botton.

October 21, 2008