From Russia with love

Hong Kong Cancer Fund annual gala

ArtisTree, Quarry Bay

Happenings: One of the city’s most anticipated parties, the annual gala of the Hong Kong Cancer Fund, founded by Sally Lo, adopted an impressive Imperial Russia theme this year. The ArtisTree was transformed into the royal Winter Palace of St Petersburg, thanks to decorations such as Fabergé Eggs, chandeliers and Russian carriages. More than 400 do-gooders donned their velvet robes and sparkling jewellery and tiaras for the special night. Acrobatics were performed inside the chandelier while dancers, dressed in traditional Russian costumes, sashayed across the hall. Soul singer Nicole Russo flew in especially for the event. The night saw a constellation of stars in attendance, including HSH Princess Ira von Furstenberg, Bruce and Coco Rockowitz, and Allan and Charmaine Zeman. Attended by Vivian Chen

with Sally Lo:

• Tell us about what you are wearing tonight.
  I’m channelling Anna Karenina. I’m wearing a diamond tiara tonight and I’ll be grateful as long as I can keep it on the whole night.

• What was it like organising one of the city’s grandest parties?
  It has always been a party with a purpose. This year, we hope to raise HK$7 million and that’s a lot of money. We have last-minute crises all the time, such as people changing plans. They are inevitable. We tend not to plan too far ahead because if you do you lose the momentum and it’s no longer exciting.

• What’s the most challenging part?
  Like a lot of charities, finding loyal patrons is not easy. We have been extremely lucky to have our principal sponsor, Louis Vuitton Asia Pacific, for many years.

• Why help cancer patients in particular?
  I think everyone knows someone who’s touched by cancer. I started the fund when one of my friends was diagnosed with cancer and given only months to live. She was only in her 20s.