The Oxford and Cambridge Society of Hong Kong Biennial Varsity Ball 2009 Saturday, 10 October 2009 The Hong Kong Country Club By Krizia Li
What a stunning evening of flair, magic and intrigue! Over 400 guests attended the glittering Varsity Ball 2009 – A Venetian Masquerade – sponsored by Versace, to raise funds for the Society’s Oxford and Cambridge Scholarship Grants at The Hong Kong Country Club.
Mingling on the lawn for champagne cocktails amongst stilt walkers, jugglers, string quartet, flowers and flamingos, alumni from both Oxford and Cambridge Universities and their guests were serenaded by an operatic grand entrance from opera singers Yuki Ip and Alex Tam. Concert pianist Evelyn Chang thrilled the audience over a delectable Italian dinner with her powerful performance.
The Society’s President Kenneth Fok and Ball Chairman / the Society’s Vice-President Ronald Kwok welcomed this year's Ball with a toast. Guests on the two head tables included the Society’s Patron Sir David Akers-Jones, Timothy Fok, Peter Cheung, Jolene Chow, Tenniel and Carmen Chu. Versace presented a Best Mask award to the most dashing Casanova Jeremy Young and the most enigmatic signora in attendance. Decadent raffle prize temptations included a wardrobe from PORTS 1961, weekend retreats with Warwick Ibah Bali and golf stays at the Mission Hills resort. In true Oxbridge style, grand auction prizes included lunch or tea with Lord Patten in London or Oxford, a session in the Cathay Pacific flight simulator and an MTR Airport Express cab ride. The charitable silent auction was hosted by Helping Hand.
Guests enjoyed the Masquerade quiz, fortune telling, mask making, and silhouette cutting throughout the evening. The fun-loving hip set Eric Fok, Jonathan Young, Jennifer Ma, Krizia Li, Veronica Chou et al partied to Andy Bautista’s Big Band and DJ L Squared. The adventurous reeled to cocktails and a Scottish Ceilidh on the lawn in the balmy weather. Partygoers played croquet tournaments on the grass by the ocean. After midnight, a delicious breakfast endorsed by Fergus Fung and Samanta Pong from WOM Guide was served. Guests frolicked on after the survivors’ photo at 3am until their gondolas arrived.
