This piece came into being on the occasion of Queen Charlotte’s Ball, which was held at One Whitehall Place in support of the invaluable charity Children with Cancer UK. The collaboration between me and my friends developed into a flow of ideas that led us to this whimsical creation inspired by Alice in Wonderland. Katia Serek’s photography and the creative edits capture the imagination and hope that went into the event. I was proud to have been made Executive Director of The London Season on this happy occasion, as it has given me joy to invest my passion over the years into making the events for the Season the best they can be.
Theme: Alice in Wonderland - decor by Debbie Marks and dresses by Berketex
VIP: Lord and Lady Reay, Baroness Denise Kingsmill, Sir Benjamin Slade, Ms Wendy Yu, Mr and Mrs Dimitri Chandris, Ms Amy Lamb and Ms Sabrina Seckova.
For nearly ten years, I have been helping aspiring debutantes to make their entrance into British high society. Each year, I have had the opportunity to work closely with each girl and her family to train for the London Season, teaching them deportment and helping them to present themselves at their best at the revival of the Queen Charlotte’s Ball, a historic institution that began in 1780 with King George III’s celebrations for his wife’s birthday.
Lukas Kroulik and the debutantes as captured by Getty Images photographer on the day.
After years of donating my creative ideas and directorial efforts to this charitable cause, I had the honor of being made Executive Director of the event, and after trying to outdo myself with a better ball each year, I feel that with this year’s ball I truly made my mark as the one who made it all happen.
Sabrina Ho
My vision for 2016 was to create a fantasy in the dreamlike location that is One Whitehall Place, like something out of Alice in Wonderland. I worked with each debutante individually, who arrived from countries all over the world for the season, for half a year to instruct them in hair, makeup, deportment, social skills, and above all the confidence for a flawless debut.
Lukas Kroulik coached, styled and directed the debutantes for the international media photo-shoot.
Procession rehearsal with Lukas Kroulik.
By working with designers to create the look and feel for the makeup and hair design as well as being in charge of creative design for the event as a whole while incorporating the efforts of Debbie Marks and Berketex, I was able to make dreams come to life at this event that debutantes and guests alike will remember for the rest of their lives.
Her Highness Princess Olga Romanoff with the debutantes and escorts styled by Lukas Kroulik.
Archduke Alexander of Austria
One such debutante was Sabrina Ho, who went on to become an it-girl on the London social scene. I even helped to pair the young women with escorts for the ball so that they might be elegantly accompanied. Sabrina Ho was escorted by Archduke Alexander of Austria.
Lukas Kroulik with his Czech and Chinese friends.
Princess Olga Romanoff
Amy Lamb
Ziwei Luo
Alice Yip, Dona Ding, Angela Leong, Ziwei Luo, Mrs Ding and Sabrina Ho. (L - R)
Sir Benjamin Slade
Sabrina Seckova
Wendy Yu
My work is all about making big statements on a foundation of creativity and inclusivity, and it all came together in this glamorous event in support of the charity Children with Cancer UK and in support of the very London Season itself.
Imagine you are organising the event of the year. What would it be like to bring together in one room a Bond girl, the European Sceptic Society's female president, a singer from a famous British girl band and a top business woman?
What would this diverse group of amazingly successful women talk about?
How would each of them host a glittering table full of polo lovers and enthusiasts?
What would they wear and what matching jewellery would they choose?
This would not be a stylish event without some true gentlemen. So we hosted Thom Evans (the sports personality), Peter Legler (investor), Chike Okonkwo (English-Nigerian actor) and Jakub Kroulik (the Czech Republic’s star hypnotist). They led the toasts for His Royal Highness Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh with Royal Salute whisky in Garrard’s traditional silver cups.
A brass band parade, sunshine and the sight of Prince Philip, the President of the Guards Polo Club, presenting the Garrard Coronation Cup to the winning team… All of this and the sparkling company made the day an experience of a lifetime, in which the guests were treated royally while meeting the Royalty.
