WITH just over a month to go until the handover and the social calendar looking pathetically luck-lustre, tire-less head of the Hong Kong Cancer Fund and party organiser extroadinaire, has swung into action with the up-beat titled Climax Dance Party at Cafe Deco. While political correctness decrees that festivities on June 30 be dignified and even sombre, all stops are being pushed out for this July 1 bash being primarily sponsored by Christian Dior. Lo says her socialite studed committee have come up with the event at the last minute because there was nothing much else happening and its a great way to raise money for the cancer fund. About 1,500 local and visiting society types are expected to fork out the $1,500 price which includes unlimited bar, a gourmet spread abundant with oysters and sushi and all-night dancing with New York DJ Frankie Knuckles. Said to be interested in attending are members of two of America's richest and most famous families who have connections with the territory. Ducking out ABOUT to relinquish control of the Hong Kong franchise of luggage and accessories line Mandarina Duck, Judy Yu Hong says she is sad to being losing the label. Hong, who runs the Carsac retail group, brought the brand to Hong Kong 12 years ago and has turned it into a top-seller locally. But sad though she may be, she's already looking to acquire something new. 'Life goes on,' she sighed. Hangers on HONG Kong is not the only place for major star-studded parties at the moment. Gucci has joined forces with Hollywood studio Miramax to throw a giant fund-raiser for AIDS Project Los Angeles in early June. Gucci kingpin Tom Ford and chairman Domenico de Sole are hosting what's being billed as Hollywood's most important fashion event, the Tom Ford For Gucci Show. No ordinary venue will do. The show's being held in an airplane hanger in Santa Monica that conveniently belongs to Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman. Madonna is also rumoured to be going along, as are many celebrities involved in AIDS causes. Tom Hanks, Goldie Hawn and Una Thurman will be among the stars attending. Gucci Hong Kong is apparently trying to get a local star to take part in the festivities to bring a truly international flavour to the event: suggested names are Jackie Chan, Tony Leung and Michelle Yeoh. Two business class tickets to the event will be auctioned at a cocktail party at Gucci in Times Square on May 28. Bidding will start at $60,000. Incidentally, Gucci has chosen July 1 to host its menswear spring/summer 1998 show in Milan. The company clearly can't be expecting a big turnout from Hong Kong. Star ferre PORTLY Italian designer Gianfranco Ferre is evidently something of a cultural and style icon in Japan, where a week's events will honour him. . Starting on June 9 with a cocktail party, events include a catwalk show at the stunning Park Hyatt Hotel and dinners hosted by Italian consular officials and the president of Seibu. Ferre will almost certainly be in Tokyo for 'Ferre Week'. Lads night out FEMINISTS take note. There's an interesting twist to Lane Crawford's 'Men's Evening' in Times Square on May 29. The night won't just feature a chance to practise golf and indulge in a little wine appreciation, and a fashion show spotlighting brands like Pal Zileri, Verri, Joop! and Thierry Mugler. There will also be party games allowing women guests to be 'matched' - like accessories - to the outfits on parade, with prizes for participants who choose the right sort of women to go with the male ensemble in question. Tutu exciting THOSE who prefer their fashion to have a sense of history can pop along to a City Hall exhibition being held to coincide with the Monte Carlo Ballet's forthcoming peformances in Hong Kong. On show will be elaborate costume and set design sketches by artists like Picasso and Miro, together with six costumes from early 20th century performances. Names like Van Cleef & Arpels and OOCL - the company from which Tung Chee-hwa stepped down to run Hong Kong instead - and the Mandarin Oriental are bringing the Monte Carlo Ballet to the territory this Wednesday and Thursday. Snap 'em up! More ideas for 1997 memorabilia: photographer David Thurston is trying to encourage Hong Kong people to look back on this as a happy period and a year to remember.Thurston will put your face on these bright and colourful images of Hong Kong (left). For more information, call 2524 4381 or fax 25250774.
