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Monday, 28 February 2005 04:02
Written by that's Shanghai

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French Master florist, Sebastien Lathuile, who has arranged flowers for the French First Lady, decorated the Yongfoo Elite on Valentine’s Day – à la Français. The highlight of Monsieur Lathuile’s creation was a floral extravaganza – la nuit des mille et une rose – the night of one thousand and one roses. With a five-figure price tag, the lavish floral arrangement was available for one fortunate couple in Shanghai who enjoyed a romantic experience that combined fine dining, relaxation in a spa and a night’s stay at a top hotel suite – priced at RMB 68,000. The couple joins Yongfoo Elite’s illustrious list of patrons, including French First Lady, Bernadette Chirac, Ralph Fiennes, NBA player Yao Ming, fashion designer Vivienne Tam and Hollywood superstar Jackie Chan.

Juvenia, a Swiss watch brand with a history of more than 140 years, opened its new shop in Shanghai in late January; pictured here are Hong Kong actress Kenix Kwok, Juvenia’s board manager, Martial Leuba and Swiss Cultural Consul, Hans Peter Willi.

Richard Saul, general manager of Renaissance Yangtze Shanghai Hotel, welcomes Paul Keating, the previous prime minister of Australia visiting Shanghai for the recent IBM Asia Pacific Public Sector Kickoff 2005.

With the largest collection of Picasso’s art works ever to be displayed in Asia, folks paid tribute in proper fashion: they dusted off their berets, paid the RMB 40 and hung out. Said one official at the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall: “Even Europeans don’t have the opportunity to see so many original prints in one place.”

An evening of extravagance at the Westin Shanghai, Romancing the Bund culminated in a diamond auction from Diamonds S.A. All proceeds went to charity which is one reason why bids warmed up quickly: opening at RMB 62,000, then jumping to RMB 70,000 and finally to RMB 200,000. The final bid was still a bargain, though, for the gentleman received a necklace with 154 diamonds. Another reason bidding was heated might be that each winner had the chance to snuggle close to the gorgeous diamond encrusted models (above left) for their photo opportunity. Also pictured: Lu Kun (below), Shanghai’s award-winning fashion designer, Peter Alatsas, general manager of the hotel, Elijah Widjaja, chairman and CEO of Bund Center and Mrs Widjaja with guests.

The Bridge 8 on Jianguo Lu came alive with gyrating dancers, snaking ice sculpture vodka shots, fire-eaters, whooping m.c.s and lots and lots of alcohol to celebrate the arrival of the famed Mini-Cooper in Shanghai. It was the kind of event that makes you want to fork out the RMB 360,000 price tag for a Mini right away – unfortunately there’s already a four-month waiting list.

Andre G Rolli, the general manager of Sheraton Grand Tai Ping Yang Hotel, Shanghai warmly greeted Taiwanese movie star Hsien Chi Jen, during his stay in Shanghai. The same warm welcome was extended to Tony Leung, here to launch his latest film, "Seoul Raiders".

Fifty-seven year old Andrew Lloyd Webber felt the need to address his many Chinese fans: “I can only say I myself want to be involved with any area that musical theatre is developing, China is one of the most exciting countries in the world, and it would be mad for me not to be taking a great interest in what happens.” Mad or not, the idea of putting on 96 performances at the Shanghai Grand Theater is a brave step. Western musicals are still new to China, as are the ticket prices: about a week’s salary. However, UK-based Really Useful Group and Shanghai Grand Theatre jointly invested more than RMB 50 million to present this season’s performance of The Phantom of the Opera, and audience enthusiasm has no doubt relieved their worries. We spotted 'Fantoms' from as far away as Beijing, Chongqing, and Harbin, as well as Hong Kong and Taiwan.

This month’s Shanghai Fashion Gala will be a date in the fashion world for everyone’s diary, not just thanks to the presence of international brands and sponsors but also to the unique design of the stage at Xintiandi lake. Spanish architect Pedro Pablo Arroyo Alba has designed architecturally breathtaking scenery. The design is diamond-shaped, which supposedly channels energy to the center of the show, presumably to the small island in the middle of the lake set up for VIPs. There’s more. “The night shows will be illuminated with fireworks that will reflect a thousand lights on the lake surface and on the metallic structure in a rainbow of color and lights,” according to the press release. Whoooeeee!

Shanghai’s international literary festival celebrates good writing in English with Asia-Pacific roots. Internationally acclaimed writers whose work is informed by Asia and the Pacific region, acclaimed writers with an Asian background, and emerging writers living in Asia will all take part in the 2005 Shanghai International Literary Festival.  Confirmed writers for this year’s festival include Booker Prize winners Thomas Kenneally (Schindler’s Ark, adapted by Steven Speilberg as Schindler's List [above]) and Alan Hollinghurst (Line of Beauty) and National Book Critic award winner Shirley Hazzard (Transit of Venus). The Festival is organized in conjunction with the Man Hong Kong International Literary Festival and will be held at The Glamour Bar, No 5, M on the Bund, March 5/6; March 12/13 and March 19. 

As part of the monthly Community Footprints program the Portman Ritz-Carlton’s human resource department brought joy in the form of homemade cookies and sweets to children from the Children’s Welfare Institute in Hongkou District for the Lunar New Year.

If you spot this army marching around town, don’t run for cover thinking it’s an invasion; these lads are members of the Shanghai Military Fans Association. They meet weekly to compare costumes, exchange war notes and play paintball. There’s nothing like a bit of innocent war revelry on the weekends.

 

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