The gay mad whirl of the Bali High Season is supposed to end in September, but it seems we’re not having any of that! Last night there were three unmissable events on our agenda, and we made it to all three.
5pm: A sunset celebration for glam photographer and model agent, Gaby Wehn on the beach at Tugu hotel in Canggu. The theme: blurry sunset and sharp cheekbones of leggy Russian models. No better way to begin a Saturday night than on the Tugu beach with a glass of wine, the pleasantly pastoral atmosphere, and a handful of chatty mixed nuts.
7pm: Fashion Tendance 10 at The Laguna Resort in Nusa Dua. Went solely to see Oka Diputra’s show, and support the wonder boy with applause and orders. I chose my dresses, can’t wait to wear them. But where exactly do we get to wear dresses like that in Bali?
The thèmes du soir pour moi: Jakarta models beat Bali ones hands down, talent on the catwalk, precisely posed lanky young things rolling by on bellhop carts, huge silver web-like hair ornaments, collaborations across categories thanks to Bali Creative Community, stunning service by Laguna staff, wicked gorgeous shoes by Oka with twenty-centi heels (not a single slip or wobble, see what I mean about Jakarta models, and they also managed the heavy velour trains and trailing hems without a trip into the trash), Oka skipping merrily onto the runway to take a bow (above).
9:30pm: Closing party at Kafe Warisan hosted by Said and Doudou. What a bash. Don’t ask who was there, ask who wasn’t. How many people can host a sit-down dinner of epicurean excellence for 350 of their closest friends? Said told me this is the largest crowd they have ever served at once. Talk about going out with a bang.
They apparently decided to empty the wine cellars for this one, not to mention the back bar. Said was seen dancing behind the bar, pouring long lines of cocktails with both hands and grinning like a lottery winner. Kevin K the DJ has a secret formula to get everyone up, that works every time, and this was no exception.
This must have been the happiest, most convivial closing party ever held. There’s plenty to celebrate, as the Kafe Warisan crew are moving immediately into their new, bigger and better restaurant, Metis, just around the corner on Jalan Petitenget. They are moving fast. This afternoon crews were seen loading the trucks up front at Kafe Warisan with linens, cutlery, crockery, and what have you.
We left last night when the crowd of 350 began rapidly expanding in the wee hours until it seemed all of Bali would be there soon. As we were leaving, we felt like salmon swimming upstream, such was the onrush of hoi polloi. Bruno said, “I think the Living Room must be empty tonight . . . and the rubbish trucks.” I figure the numbers kept growing and the dancing kept going and the cellar kept emptying until the muscle-bound moving men came in at six in the morning and carried everything away, including the remaining guests. Here’s a youtube video to show how things devolved after we left. Our dear friends Frederic, Simonetta, Said . . . are prominent therein, yet maintain a certain admirable self-possession. All I can say is I’m glad we didn’t have a breakfast date with any one of you! Photos: Susi Johnston