GREY GOOSE WINTER BALL
To Benefit the Elton John AIDS Foundation
Saturday 10 November 2012, London
GREY GOOSE, the World’s Best Tasting Vodka, is set to host what has become one of the most hotly anticipated event of the international social calendar: The sixth annual GREY GOOSE Winter Ball to benefit the Elton John AIDS Foundation on Saturday 10 November 2012. Some of the most renowned characters from the worlds of film, fashion, food, art and music will come together in London, combining their unique talents to create an exceptional Grey Goose Winter Ball to benefit the Elton John AIDS Foundation.
This year’s Winter Ball will see one of London’s most iconic venues, Battersea Power Station, beautifully themed around a scene from a 1950’s Côte d’Azur summer. A firm favourite amongst the style leaders of London, the Winter Ball has previously taken inspiration from a Chateau in Cognac to a five-star Biarritz hotel, to the rooftops of Paris. This year, it will evoke the dreamy elegance of the south of France, a favourite region of Sir Elton John and David Furnish, during its glamorous heyday; pastel colour palettes palm trees and poolside sophistication will be the talk of the evening.
Hosted by GREY GOOSE and the Elton John AIDS Foundation attended by Sir Elton John and David Furnish, the Winter Ball aims to raise funds for the Foundation, with which GREY GOOSE has enjoyed an eight-year partnership. To date, the ball has raised in excess of £2.3M for the Foundation, supporting a range of hugely significant and worthwhile projects in Cambodia, Africa and the UK.
Each year, GREY GOOSE invites a handpicked selection of character partners to design a unique lot that is auctioned at the Winter Ball past years have seen names such as Elizabeth Hurley, Giles Deacon, Patrick Cox, Christopher Bailey, Theo Fennell, Eva Herzigova, Lily Allen, Christian Louboutin, Jean Paul Gaultier, Lily Cole, Sam Taylor-Wood and Gavin Turk create bespoke cocktail bars that encapsulate their personality and style. Fashion designers Roland Mouret and Jonathan Saunders have donated one-off cocktail dresses and artist Marc Quinn last year contributed a bespoke commission of one of his most iconic Iris canvasses
This year, for the first time, the GREY GOOSE Winter Ball character partners have been invited to lend their creative talents to designing a portable cocktail bar that reflects their individual character. One of most renowned photographers, Ellen von Unwerth, famed for capturing some of the world’s most beautiful women and one of Time Magazine’s Top 100 Fashion Icons, will be taking up the challenge. She will be joined by international fashion designer Gareth Pugh, who is celebrated for his outlandish designs exploring structure, light and dark, as well as Karim Rashid, one of the most prolific designers of his generation, honoured with over 300 awards and with more than 3,000 designs in production.
Guests on the night will be treated to an exquisitely prepared dinner by two Michelin-starred chef Hélène Darroze. Sharing the GREY GOOSE passion for the finest French ingredients and absolute dedication to taste, Hélène is the toast of her hometown, Paris. Having cut her teeth working under Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester, Hélène now leads the team at The Connaught in London and will be serving up her signature sublime cuisine to the delight of guests at this year’s ball. Hélène follows in the footsteps of the worldrenowned El Bulli and Marcus Wareing, both of whom have previously served unforgettable menus for the GREY GOOSE Winter Ball to benefit the Elton John AIDS Foundation.
A long-standing tradition of the GREY GOOSE Winter Ball to benefit the Elton John AIDS Foundation is the creation of a collection of unique cocktails by the character partners involved. This year, GREY GOOSE ambassador and taste expert Joe McCanta will work with each character to weave their favourite flavours and taste sensations into a perfectly conceived drink that represents them.
The GREY GOOSE Winter Ball to benefit the Elton John AIDS Foundation wouldn’t be complete without a spectacular musical performance: following the dinner and auction, the award winning singer and songwriter Emeli Sand will collaborate with producer and musician Labrinth to offer guests an unforgettable show.
Tickets for the GREY GOOSE Winter Ball to benefit the Elton John AIDS Foundation will be available to buy from ejaf.com with 100% of the proceeds benefitting the Elton John AIDS Foundation. (Charity registration no 1017336)
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DRINKS ENTHUSIAST 