THE AUCTION
STEPHEN FRY, A PRINCE'S TRUST AMBASSADOR, HOSTED THE EVENING
November 23rd 2005 : The inaugural Prince's Trust "Invest in Futures" Hedge Fund Gala dinner and auction, in the presence of TRH The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, provided the crowning glory to the Swarovski Fashion Rocks event, and shared the same atmosphere of mingled glamour and goodwill.
Swarovski had invited Fashion Rocks designers to donate one-of-a-kind crystal extravaganzas, which formed the focal point of the after-dinner charity auction, and continued the hugely successful fund-raising mission of the original Monaco event.
The "Invest in Futures" Hedge Fund Gala dinner and auction, held within the historic splendour of the Banqueting House, Whitehall, raised much-needed funds for the Prince of Wales's own charity, The Prince's Trust. The evening was supported by leading lights of the financial community, both in the UK and in Europe. With its rock n' roll theme, and sensational performances by Eric Clapton and Jools Holland, as well as by singer Sarah Bennett, a Prince's Trust success story, the Gala poignantly reinforced the raison d'etre of Swarovski Fashion Rocks for the Trust, to help disadvantaged young people transform their lives and realise their true potential.
After pre-dinner drinks in the vaulted Undercroft of Banqueting House, an Inigo Jones masterpiece, originally part of Whitehall Palace, the guests made their way upstairs to the sumptuous Main Hall, with its classically-inspired pillars and exquisite Rubens ceilings, to await the arrival of TRH The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall.
Stephen Fry, a Prince's Trust Ambassador, hosted the evening with his inimitable panache and razor-wit, provocatively and repeatedly referring to the fact that the Banqueting House had been the scene of the execution of Charles I, in 1649.
After the lavish dinner, the Prince of Wales delivered a moving speech, with a quick quip or two about Stephen Fry's "headless" jokes, outlining the important work that the Trust has done over the years, helping more than half a million young people, and continues to do today with the help of organisations, like Swarovski, which share the Trust's vision.
Sarah Bennett, an extraordinary young singer, who had only been able to discover her musical talent through the help of the Prince's Trust, told her story, and kicked off the evening's entertainment. She was followed by a skin-tingling, intimate performance by Jools Holland and Eric Clapton, who was giving his only public performance of 2005.
Finally, as the Royal guests departed, it was auction time, with a silent auction, for which bids were placed electronically from the dinner table, and a spirited live auction conducted by Lord Dalmeny, of Sotheby's. Getting off to a glittering start, the opening lot of the live auction was the Swarovski crystal-covered gown from the first Giorgio Armani Prive couture collection, originally worn by Beyonce at the 2005 Oscars, which sold for £25,000. Other lots included a yoga lesson with Gwyneth Paltrow', a new Bentley Continental GT, a garden designed by Alan Titchmarsh, a pair of diamond earrings by David Morris, and a tour of the gardens of Highgrove.
Selected creations from Swarovski Fashion Rocks were the star lots of the silent auction. A bespoke Prada handbag, covered in Swarovski crystals, sold for £9000. As Miuccia Prada had described it, "this bag represents the kind of femininity I like at the moment." A second major Fashion Rocks lot comprised a collection of Swarovski crystal-encrusted clothes and accessories, by world-renowned designers. This included a draped dress by Viktor and Rolf, a black crystal studded halterneck by Tommy Hilfiger, an evening box bag by Calvin Klein, a purple raw silk, hand-embroidered shirt by Roberto Cavalli, a vintage men's cream suit by Vivienne Westwood, made with Swarovski crystal fabric, a tartan trench coat by Burberry with Swarovski crystal detailing, and an antique lace and Swarovski crystal-encrusted gown, specially created by Versace Atelier. This collection raised £15,200, taking Swarovski's total for the evening to £49,200.
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