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Dame Shirley Bassey and Chopard co-president Caroline Gruosi-Scheufele

White Tie & Tiara Ball

Chopard gems and a diamond butterfly

With a diamond and blue sapphire butterfly on his lapel, a 56-carat cushion-cut blue sapphire on his finger, a diamond watch from his own collection on his wrist and glittery blue shoes on his feet, Sir Elton John welcomed guests to the 11th White Tie & Tiara Ball in style.

The lavish affair is an annual fundraiser for the Elton John Aids Foundation organized in partnership with Chopard and held at John’s stately mansion in Old Windsor, England.

With its star-studded guest list, this year’s event also provided the perfect occasion to unveil The Woodside Gallery of Modern Art recently completed within the home John shares with partner David Furnish. The gallery houses John’s private collection and will promote young artists through temporary exhibitions.

Contemporary art was the logical theme of the evening and the grounds were transformed into an open-air gallery. Strolling guests encountered Chopard gems in giant flutes inspired by artist Yoyoi Kusama’s tubes and in Brillo Boxes by Andy Warhol.

Grey Goose created special drinks for the occasion including an emerald green tipple titled Chopard Jewels!

But it’s the real jewels that caught our eye.

Chopard’s co-president Caroline Gruosi-Scheufele dazzled with bracelet-length diamond earrings resting on her floral halter gown. Of course they were by Chopard, as were many of the gems in the crowd.

Singer Nathalie Imbruglia chose drop earrings from Chopard’s Golden Diamond Collection and a diamond cuff with 15 floating diamonds to go with a graphic black and white gown.

Supermodel Erin O’Connor paired a romantic diamond collar studded with 69 white pearls in contrast to a witty tulle dress decorated with a starburst of safety pins.

A ruby tulip ring adorned Louise Redknapp’s finger and was the perfect hit of colour for a snappy fuchsia gown.

Claire Danes complemented her silver evening gown with 20-carat fancy-cut diamond earrings and a cuff of 56 brilliant-cut diamonds.

A chance to shine was just one of the points of the night. The other was to raise funds. And it did that, too, wringing a whopping £4 million from the crowd.