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Photographs Nick Harvey | By Danielle Hine

Sir Elton John’s annual White Tie & Tiara Ball (in partnership with Chopard) was awash with A-listers, with Lady Gaga top of

the bill. InStyle was there with a diamond-encrusted Dictaphone

58 i n S T y L E / S E P T E M B E R 2010

6.30PM-9PM ChaMPagne suPernova

The first thing I hear when I arrive at Sir Elton John and David Furnish’s

palatial Windsor home for this year’s White Tie & Tiara Ball is screaming.

For a minute, I fear the night’s star guest Lady Gaga may have hurt herself

getting into one of her fearsome outfits. But no, the recorded shrieks are part of

the macabre theme for this party. The divine Gaga is clearly the

inspiration for the entire evening – because as soon as I pass through the stringent security checks at the entrance, I feel like I’m walking into a scene from A Clockwork Orange via a mental asylum on the way to the Mad Hatter’s tea party.

Walking down the green carpet into the event, the screams get louder as I pass a dozen doors placed at intervals along the pathway – some of them bearing doctor’s names. Taking a glass of champagne from a waiter wearing a white doctor’s coat, black bowler hat and one heavily mascara’d eye (Malcolm McDowell would be impressed), I’m ushered through an archway only to see about five “patients” dangling from a tree by the straps of their

straitjackets. The shock causes me to splutter my champagne. Don’t worry: they were all actors who are safe and well. Beats a bit part in Holby City.

Just ahead, I can see that Sir Elton’s enormous garden is aglow with enough stardust to make me need sunglasses. As David Walliams and his goddess model wife Lara Stone (in red Calvin Klein) arrive, they immediately spy a Marchesa-clad Kate Beckinsale and her film director hubby Len Wiseman. David greets them with: “Hi, we’re married!” Aww.

After chatting to an awestruck Alex Curran (“I’m loving having a nosy around and seeing what everyone is wearing,” she says), Jon Bon Jovi arrives with his family in a flurry of camera flashes. Is he excited about Lady Gaga performing tonight? He smiles: “I like Gaga a lot. I’ve seen her before, she’s great”.

At the other end of the garden, I encounter Matthew Morrison (aka Glee’s Mr Schuester) being given the once-over by starstruck guests. I can see why – in person, he’s so much sexier than his on-screen persona. He’s friendly, chatty and more than happy to talk fashion. “I’m wearing Dolce & Gabbana – I’m lucky

e∂ PARTY

exclusive

Kate Beckinsale (in Marchesa dress and chopard jewels) with hubby len Wiseman

Gleeful triumvirate: Kelly Osbourne

and her mum sharon with sir elton

There was a slightly mad theme to the evening…

valentino with White Tie regular elizabeth Hurley

Glamazon corner: lara stone and lily cole

singer Paloma Faith works a Dolce & Gabbana dress with a victoria Grant hat

louise Rednapp in vintage

Alexander McQueen

legends of the ball: lady Gaga with host sir elton John

Gowns, Glamour

& GaGa

Inside story

A tea party fit for lady Gaga

Inside storyThe goth glam marquee

sharon (with Kid Rock): ‘i only got in from lA last night. Then i come here and there are people hanging in trees!’

Kelly gets cheeky with Grace Jones

underneath her viktor & Rolf cage mask, lady

Gaga (with sir elton and entrepreneur Diana Jenkins)

fails to keep a poker face

SMALL TALK wiThJessica Lowndes Looking good, Jess! ‘the dress is alberta ferretti and i’m wearing bulgari jewels with Gina heels that kept sinking into the grass.’ Love the beauty shoot you’ve done for us [see page 172]. ‘that was such great fun – i loved all the lipsticks. it was very “sexy goth”.’ You seem to always be in London… ‘i’m here because i’m recording an album. Hopefully, it’ll be out by the end of the year.’

SMALL TALK wiThKelly Osbourne Loving the dress! ‘thanks – it’s Dolce & Gabbana. i’m so excited they sent it to me, because three days ago, i had nothing to wear.’ it’s nice you’ve come with your mum Sharon. ‘the only thing is, we’re both wearing Dolce! We didn’t even plan it. it’s another harsh realisation that i’m turning into my mother.’

they hooked me up with a fantastic looking suit,” he tells me. He then confides that he’s looking forward to not having to sing tonight. What, there’ll be no Lady Gaga mash-up? “No, I’m off the clock tonight,” he laughs. “I’m going to enjoy myself and have a few drinks.” 9PM–Midnight dinner is served Just as I’m about to walk up the path into the marquee for dinner, I almost trip over Alan Carr standing near a statue with a bandage around its head. “Ooh, hello!” he says, giving me a trademark toothy grin. “It’s such a good night, isn’t it?” After I remark on the hotness of Mr Morrison, he giggles: “I know. He was on my show recently, so we’re basically friends!” Sauntering off to find pal Gok Wan, he quips, “See you later for the slow dance”.

On the way inside, I find myself sandwiched behind David and Lara, with Lulu bringing up the rear. The entire time, the newlyweds walk with arms entwined around each other: ah, the honeymoon period – you can’t beat it.

As we walk through an archway made of twigs (“I hope these don’t tear my dress off!” Lulu remarks), we enter what looks like a hospital laundry room with lines of damp hospital gowns, towels and even a

wooden crutch strung up. Plus some abandoned beds. I later discover this is the place to hang – yep, it’s the smoking area.

Inside the marquee, things take an even darker turn. The walls are black (as are the tablecloths), the flowers on the table are a deep crimson and the crockery and cutlery look like they’re a leftover from a medieval banquet. It’s as if I’m in a gothic church styled by Gareth Pugh. Two tables away, I see the Dolce model David Gandy (he of the white undies and godlike body fame) with stunning MTV presenter Laura Whitmore and, just behind me, I spy Alice Eve, whose low-cut dress more than shows off the assets that had a starring role in Sex and the City 2.

There’s a slight commotion as Grace Jones enters wearing a sculptural hat that’d have your eye out if you dared to get too close. She says, “Ooh, classical”. (I’m not sure if she’s talking about the music coming through the speakers or people’s slightly comical reaction to her entrance.)

As the guests devour scrambled eggs with Mottra caviar and truffle; Cumbrian lamb and chocolate bombes with peanut-butter ice cream, there are sudden cheers as Lady Gaga enters. She’s sparkling in eight pieces of Chopard jewellery (worth more than £3m) and a diaphanous gown with white bra and matching knickers

SMALL TALK wiTh Matthew Morrison what were you doing today pre-party? ‘i had two meetings, then i was in a recording studio writing a song. i’ve got an album coming out around November.’ The UK loves Glee. ‘i didn’t expect it – it’s been awesome. you guys love a bit of camp!’ Are you looking forward to Gaga? ‘i’ve met her – she’s a normal, really cool woman. i saw her perform at this year’s met ball and she was incredible.’ See more Matthew on page 158

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Naomie Harris in Gucci

InStyle’s shining star

Danielle Hine

60 i n S T y L E / S E P T E M B E R 2010

Inside storyInside story

she’s my hero – ladies and gentlemen,

the biggest music star on the planet

sir elton introduces lady Gaga

Gaga gets carried away… literally

How to look good nude: Trinny Woodall works the barely there colour trend

by new Italian designer Francesco Scognamiglio with a gilded “cage” by Viktor & Rolf over her face. (Let’s hope she’s not going to attempt to eat dinner.)She heads straight to Sir Elton’s table, where she spends most of the night chatting with Scissor Sisters’ Jake Shears.

At around 11pm, the auction begins. Along with the ticket sales and pledges from the evening, it raises money for the Elton John Aids Foundation, whose mission is to help people infected, affected and at risk of HIV/Aids around the world.

This year, a limited-edition Chopard Tiger watch and an Audi A1 customised by artist Damien Hirst are among the auction lots snapped up by well-heeled guests.

12.30aM–1.15aM everYone goes gaga “She’s been here rehearsing for two days; ladies and gentleman, it’s my hero, the biggest music star on the planet, Lady Gaga!” Sir Elton announces. Even the most elegantly dressed ladies hoick their evening gowns up to rush to the stage.

And we get the full Gaga spectacle: the

62 i n S T y L E / S E P T E M B E R 2010

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outfits – from a white bra and thong (that her dancers smear with blood) to the studded underwear from the “Telephone” video (she intros the song, “When I was backstage, Beyoncé called me. Goddamn, hooker!”) and a see-through cape and hat that seem to be made out of bubble wrap, plus the final look, a sparkly white leotard; and the sexual gymnastics (“I love the gays,” she purrs, as she lies on the floor arching her back and grinding her crotch up near a male dancer’s rather, ahem, awe-inspiring groin). There’s even a duet of “Your Song” with Sir Elton.

This evening, 360 jeroboams of Veuve Clicquot champagne have been drunk; 680 meals have been served; millions of pounds worth of Chopard jewels have been worn; and £5.6million has been raised for the Elton John Aids Foundation (hurrah!). Now, it’s time to make like Cinderella and go home. Hmm, wonder what I’ll wear next year.... For more information about the Elton John Aids Foundation, visit ejaf.com

Gaga’s Michelle Pfeiffer in The Fabulous Baker Boys impression

Alan carr (with Gok Wan): ‘i’m wearing a D&G jacket with high street – i have to, i’m with Gok’

Party on! Get the inside scoop

on the most glamorous celebrity parties at

instyle.co.uk/celebrity