Parties: Mayhem in Mayfair

Matthew Bell
Sunday 05 October 2008 00:00 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.

The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.

Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.

Once it was enough for a nightingale to sing in Berkeley Square. These days the efforts of a lone songbird are considered insufficient entertainment for a lavish charity ball of 850 guests, tickets £700 per head. So for this year's Berkeley Square Ball, held in marquees in the Mayfair garden, party dynamo Vince Power had laid on Taittinger champagne, a Michelin-star supper and a vaudeville-themed cabaret.

Guests included Rebecca Loos, Sugababe Heidi Range and Royal-by-proxy Pippa Middleton, who braved the September chill in a daring backless gown. The menu featured potted Morecambe Bay shrimps, roast rump of lamb and Eton Mess, all knocked up by Marco Pierre White.

Tess Daly, who arrived with husband Vernon Kay, and model Emma Noble had both gone for gold ballgowns, while R&B singer Sonique had boldly gone for a red tartan jumpsuit.

Jerry Hall arrived at 11pm, dazzling in a puff of vermillion silk and fur. The surprise appearance of Amy Winehouse drew a throng of camera-phone-waving guests, although it was her 12-year-old god-daughter, Dionne Bromfield, who attended to the singing. Winehouse, by now emotional, flung herself at Dionne several times before fleeing backstage and allegedly getting into a fight with a fan. More drama ensued later when one female guest was arrested and bundled off in a police van, laddering her tights. Perhaps just a nightingale next year?

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in