Hong Kong's most fabulous put on their dazzling gowns and dinner jackets to celebrate First Foundation Initiative's 10th year
Black tie galas ... remember them? As social distancing guidelines had been relaxed in Hong Kong last month, the First Initiative Foundation seized the opportunity to stage an exclusive dinner at the Hong Kong Museum of Art. Hong Kong’s most fabulous dusted off their gowns and dinner jackets and came out in force to celebrate the charity’s tenth year.
In partnership with the Hong Kong Jockey Club, the foundation flew in rare paintings from the world-renowned Uffizi Galleries in Florence for a four-month-long exhibition on show until February 21. The Tsim Sha Tsui exhibition, Botticelli and His Times—Masterworks from the Uffizi, presents 42 breathtaking works from the gallery’s incredible collection, among them ten works by Renaissance master Sandro Botticelli, making this the greatest number of Botticellis to ever be exhibited in Hong Kong.
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In characteristically grand style, the foundation’s chairwoman Michelle Ong held an invite-only dinner, dubbed Everlasting Wonder, on November 5. Throughout the evening, guests were treated to a multidimensional feast combining visual, historical and culinary elements of Italy.
Attendees experienced a private viewing of the exhibition and sat for a three-course meal by three-Michelin-starred chef Umberto Bombana of 8½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana (served by waiters dressed as Catholic cardinals, no less), with wine pairing by Sarah Heller, the world’s youngest female master of wine and Tatler’s wine columnist. To top off the evening, there were performances by singers Miriam Yeung, Gin Lee and Allison Lau.
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