Stay fur a while

Protesters from animal rights group Peta failed to discourage 1500 people making their way into the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre Grand Hall for the Fur Gala 2004 fashion show and dinner. The theme of the extravaganza was Cold Mountain (as in the film), with the showing of the 220 fur creations lasting almost as long as the epic movie. The 60 models on the catwalk were matched by a similar number of security guards on standby.

A host of society stalwarts were there, including playboy tycoon Cecil Chao Sze-tsung and girlfriend Wendy Xu, ballet dancer/fashion designer Flora Cheong-leen (unfortunately without husband Russell Wong), fashion designers Benny Yeung and Rowena U, and fashion plate Kam Kwok-leung. The head of Eastern Worldwide, Albert Wong and wife Pauline, also made an appearance, but the night's star guests were Japanese violinist Takako Nishizaki and friend Angela Chiang, and HK Fur Federation chairman Robert Lam.