Sherman Tang, Michelle Ong, Simon Ho and Edward Cheng
Cover Sherman Tang, Michelle Ong, Simon Ho and Edward Cheng

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.

See also: Peter Cheung's Hot List: 10 Hong Kong Charities You Should Be Supporting

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Photo 1 of 8 Sarah Heller, Michelle Ong and Raimondo Romani
Photo 2 of 8 David Kung, Michelle Ong and Roletta Kung
Photo 3 of 8 Barney Cheng, Amanda Cheung, Kenny Wong and Jennifer Liu
Photo 4 of 8 Alexandre Giorgini, Frederick Ma and Wendy Kwok
Photo 5 of 8 Sherman Tang, Michelle Ong, Simon Ho and Edward Cheng
Photo 6 of 8 Peter Lam and Michelle Lam
Photo 7 of 8 Adrian Cheung, Gloria Lo, Amanda Cheung, Vivian Tang, Gillian Chan and Brian Fung
Photo 8 of 8 Alan Lo, Adrian Cheng and Joyce Tam

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.

See also: The 12 Days Of Christmas Charity Initiative Brings Exclusive Dining Experiences Throughout December

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Photo 1 of 7 Amanda Cheung
Photo 2 of 7 Michelle Ong, Edwin Chuang
Photo 3 of 7 Henry Tang
Photo 4 of 7 Timothy Fok
Photo 5 of 7 Adrian Cheung, Amanda Cheung, Michelle Ong, Jennifer Cheung and David Cheung
Photo 6 of 7 Clemente Contestabile
Photo 7 of 7 Pansy Ho

With the support of the Chinese-Italian Cultural Society and Italy’s consulate general in Hong Kong, the event also marked the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties being established between Italy and China, and was the first exhibition staged together by the Uffizi Galleries and Hong Kong’s Leisure and Cultural Services Department.

For the next two months, visitors to the museum can expect extraordinary experiences alongside the usual self-guided tours, with a series of community programmes designed to capture the imagination of both adults and children, including expert-led interactive art labs, mixology classes and custom Instagram filters to deploy on selfies taken at the venue.

See also: 10 Must-See Art Exhibitions In Hong Kong In December 2020

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Photo 1 of 5 Michelle Ong and Ann Hui
Photo 2 of 5 Shirley Tang and Denise Lo
Photo 3 of 5 Abraham Shek and Michelle Ong
Photo 4 of 5 Gin Lee
Photo 5 of 5 Clockwise, from top left: Michelle Ong, Joyce Tam, Gus Lee, Jennifer Cheng, Rosanna Wong and Yenn Wong

Ong’s bash also included a silent auction, where the top lot of the night was a collection of 111 bottles donated by Henry Tang, which fetched HK$350,000.

Guests who walked the red carpet included Barney Cheng, Pansy Ho, Edwin Pun, FIF’s managing director and Ong’s daughter Amanda Cheung, and Denise Lo, the latter in great spirits having arrived at the museum fresh from the Louis Vuitton Cruise 2021 show in Repulse Bay.

For the last decade, FIF has been dedicated to social and charitable initiatives to benefit the arts and education, and to promote Hong Kong’s culture on the world stage. This exhibition launch proved that this mission is being upheld even in a year like 2020. Saluti!


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