Black Palace International Club London Bond Night, Park Lane
Bond men in black tuxedos and ladies in cocktail frocks and evening gowns, Supercars and Bollinger champagne was the sophisticated scene at a luxury car showroom in Mayfair on 20th May. Sounds like it could have been a movie set but this was London Bond Night organised by Black Palace International Club "a private members club and society for truly discerning clients and members based across the United Kingdom and Western Europe." My mother Amita and I were kindly invited by BPIC CEO James Henry Sykes-Hagen whose company arranges exclusive high-end events and activity days including recently an Aston Martin Day where members had the opportunity to drive a range of first class Aston Martin cars within the grand grounds of Cliveden House.
London Bond Night, a themed social soiree was held at the new Bob Forstner showroom Park Lane. My mum took on the role of ‘M' or mother of all Bonds and I went as Gina Britain, Bond girl of the future. We met the owner Robert Forstner whose Excalibur showrooms in London and Stuttgart specialise in luxury car brands such as Lamborghini, Bentley, Pagani and BF Performance cars. Bob told us that they've made refurbishment plans to completely change the look of their car showroom with highly original ideas by bringing in parts of a jet aircraft for wall display, having showroom consultants dressed in Air Steward outfits and, an Aladdin's cave style area upstairs featuring fine jewellery and watches.
They had a D-Box Motion Code simulator for guests to try out and I think I was one of the few girls to have a go but being a novice I would have needed more time getting used to using the machine before speeding on the race track, fun though!
Phenomenal automobiles on display were a lime green & black Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 Superleggera, a white Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4, an orange & black Formula 1 type KTM X-BOW ‘Street' and a new limited edition black Pagoni Zonda Roadster F.
Whilst admiring supercars we mingled and met an interesting mix of people including Imants Von Wenden Secretary of The Eccentric Club, sister and brother Sophie and Arthur Sweerts De Landas, Thomas Lever Account Exec of Belgravia Insurance and his mates from Cheshire the Cheshire cats! Also met PR consultant Valerie Blondeau, Timi Orija Director of Octavia Investments, Marsha Wright Entrenpreneur/Business Guru, Lawyer and Black Palace representative Naveed Aziz, Ari Pikkarainen Exec Vice President of Wulff group, Andrew Long Vice President of Alliance Berstein, Photographer Dave from The Sun newspaper and Photographer Antony Alexandrou.
During the evening an auction on behalf of Guardian International to raise money for the Pooncholai Children's Trust took place, special items and experiences like ‘Original Andrew Evans Bond Paintings,The Ultimate Highlands Experience, Super Yacht Champagne Cruise Around the coast of Southern England, James Bond Fire Arms Training and A Year's Supply of Myla Luxury Lingerie' were auctioned off by Bonhams.
A unique Bond experience almost like being on a film set where we were in our element as both mum and I are Classic/Super car enthusiasts.
© Article by Gina Chrysanthou Photos by Amita Chatterji
Please click link to view full collection of Amita's photos in Gallery: http://www.pukkapr.com/gallery/
James Henry Sykes-Hagen & Gina Sophie Sweerts & Gina
R:Valerie Blondeau & friend Bob Forstner, Gina, Ari Pikkarainen
Amita Chatterji Gina Chrysanthou
Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4
Robert Forstner
Thomas Lever in centre with friends
From left: Mr Lever, Gina and Thomas Lever
From left: Sophie and Arthur Sweerts De Landas and Gina
Dave, Sun Newspaper photographer
KTM X-BOW ‘Street'
Please click link to view full collection of Amita's photos in Gallery: http://www.pukkapr.com/gallery/