News At London's most fashionable soirée of the season, two million pounds were raised for the fight against AIDS.
On 26 June this year, for the fifth consecutive year, Elton John opened the doors of his superb Windsor residence to host London's most eagerly anticipated event of the season, the White Tie & Tiara Ball, now famous the world over. The event, sponsored by Genevan watch manufacturer Chopard, raised more than two million pounds for the Elton John AIDS Foundation.
Adopting the theme of imperial Russia, the 2003 edition of the ball sparkled with the sumptuous colours of the Royal Court and the magnificent gleam of Chopard jewellery.
The evening was truly impressive. The singer's guests were swept into a world of fantasy, their pleasure enhanced by rides in hot air balloons and ice sculptures depicting the domes of the Kremlin. The Imperial Russian decor also served as the backdrop for the concert given by Donna Summer, Barry Manilow and, naturally, Elton John, whose voice echoed through the impressive residence. During dinner, guests were able to sample beluga caviar and salmon, as well as marvellous chocolate eggs inspired by Fabergé's master craftsmen. The auction, which offered a trip to attend the Oscar ceremony with tickets for the Oscar EJ Party, jewellery by Chopard and a private dinner in the company of the evening's host and his friend David Furnish (in the centre in our photo), netted more than a million pounds.
Stars in attendance included the gorgeous Elizabeth Hurley (right), wearing a diamond-encrusted tiara totalling 180 carats, designed specially by Chopard on the theme of Imperial Russia. The statuesque Naomi Campbell meanwhile (second from left) wore a unique ensemble of black and white Chopard diamonds and came specially from Milan to join her friends Caroline Gruosi-Scheufele, Vice-president of Chopard (left), and her husband, Fawaz Gruosi, President of De Grisogono.
Other famous guests included the media couple of the moment, David and Victoria Beckham, who flew in specially from Japan, while Dolce and Gabbana found themselves surrounded by a brilliant entourage of celebrities and personalities such as Hugh Grant, Elle MacPherson, Judi Dench, the Duchess of York, Kylie Minogue, Lisa Marie Presley and Brian May.
To celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Elton John Foundation, most of the celebrities chose Chopard jewels or accessories, in particular the latest model in the Elton John watch collection, the Shocking Pink chronograph (see photo). Both functional and bright, this timepiece - as its name implies - features a dial and a motion-work in pink mother-of-pearl, creating a luminous contrast with the silver grey hour-circle and the polished steel of the case. Produced in a limited edition of 2000 pieces, it bears the artist's signature. Its serial number is stamped on the sapphire back of the case, which leaves its automatic movement open to view.
September 11, 2003
