The Shanghai Hairstyles: Kim Robinson

Kim Robinson is somewhat of a hairstyling superstar. The Australian born but Hong Kong based stylist has tended the tresses of the likes of Kate Moss and the late Princess Diana of Wales, and also styled high fashion couture collections including for Chanel and Dior.
Having our hairstyles created at Shanghai's first International Debutante Ball was certainly a luxury experience. It started with photographs taken weeks beforehand and continued with appointments with Kim and his team the day before the ball. It soon transpired we were in for a special tailor-made experience, with Kim working in collaboration with each girl and taking into account her personality, face shape, dress and all important Chaumet tiara. Whilst the hairstyles were in keeping with the deep and wonderful history of the debutante ball Robinson worked to keep the styles youthful and fresh: “I want to highlight the natural glow of their youth, rather than distract from it.” he said.
The care and attention paid to my hair was absolutely amazing. Robinson and his team are perfectionists and my style was treated like a work of art, which I am inclined to think it was. So much concentration and learned technique was put into it and it was still pristine at the end of the night, when it felt like a crime to unpin it!

The Shanghai Jewellery: Chaumet

As debutantes in Shanghai we were honoured to wear the most gorgeous jewellery by Chaumet. Chaumet has a rich and illustrious background interwoven with the history of France and stretching over nine generations since 1780- which by a lovely coincidence is when King George III created the Queen Charlotte's Ball for his wife Queen Charlotte and the tradition of the debutante ball began.

The story of Chaumet's beginnings is quite wonderful. One day a runaway horse was caught by an intrepid young man, a jeweller called Marie-Etienne Nitot with a shop on the on Rue Saint-Honore. Astride that horse was none other than the French Consul of the time, Napoleon Bonaparte, later to become Emperor. Napolean remembered the young man's kindness and bravery and later anointed Nitot as his official jeweller.  

It is a really special treat to have the delight of wearing such fabulous jewellery, and not only that but a stunning tiara too, which I think we were all exceedingly excited about!

Chaumet also played a vital role in the proceedings of the procession, with the most magnificent tiaras for the crowning of the debutantes of the year. Jen Hau was honoured with the title of Chaumet Debutante of the Year whilst Larissa Scotting was crowned International Debutante of the Year.

The shining Chaumet jewels were a joy to wear and their presence was a very special highlight from our splendid time in Shanghai.

On China Daily Online you can find a piece here interviewing Chaumet's Managing Director for Asia Pacific Charles Leung and featuring the beautiful Lune de Miel series inspired by the love story of a spider and a bee, which I was privileged to wear.

The Shanghai Dresses: Tina Fu of Tina Couture

Here's a look at the stunning white dresses the debutantes wore at Shanghai's first International Debutante Ball. It was such a treat to wear something so beautiful made by Tina Fu of Tina Couture, who is a fabulous designer from Hong Kong but now Shanghai based. The dresses were especially made to the measurements of each girl and thoughtfully designed to suit their figure and style. I know I was especially happy with mine! The exquisite cut of the fabric was perfect and all the dresses featured amazing detail and craftsmanship. The dresses were a dream to wear and I was sad to bid farewell to mine! Our whole experience in Shanghai was wonderful, but to get to wear something so magnificent really made it extra special.