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Writer's pictureLukas Kroulik
Sep 21, 20162 min read

Sabrina Ho and the British Society

Café Royale, London


The Café Royale in London provided a gorgeous backdrop to the celebration of the life and studies of Sabrina Ho, who was the star of her night at a party attended by a range of high society guests, including young royals and British celebrities from every corner of society including musicians, photographers, and athletes.

Sabrina Ho styled by Lukas Kroulik and photographed by Vogue photographer Eliska Sky.

Sabrina Ho styled by Lukas Kroulik and photographed by Vogue photographer Eliska Sky.

It was a pleasure to work closely with her and her family to best express the essence of what makes Sabrina the vivacious and charming it-girl whose party made headlines.


Special guests included Ella Mountbatten: she and her sister Alexandra became close to Sabrina and her own sister Alice when they came out as debutantes. Spencer Matthews was arm in arm with Sabrina snapping selfies. Sir Henry and Lady Keswick came as old friends of Sabrina’s family. More than a hundred years’ ago the Keswick’s were brilliant entrepreneurs taking China by storm: now it’s the turn of the Ho family in Europe. Others coming to celebrate with Sabrina were Lord and Lady Reay, Baroness Denise Kingsmill, Sir Benjamin Slade, Ms Wendy Yu, and Mr and Mrs Dimitri Chandris. This was a party for all generations: Sabrina closed the dancing in a final waltz with Hon Benedict Kingsmill. Sabrina had insisted on no birthday gifts but could not resist Heineken magnate Michel de Carvalho’s offer of his personal iPhone case as they dined at the after party with Ms Aida Aliyeva and the Keswick’s.



Music was created by DJ and composer The Real Tuesday Weld (aka Stephen Coates) who also MC’d the evening. It’s been said that if philosopher Alain de Botton were ever to join a band, Stephen’s would be the one. The birthday song was played by pianist Brigitte Subkov from the Royal College of Music: Sabrina insisted on the English version only, as a celebration of not just her birthday, but her love of London, her life here and her many close friendships in the West. But the congratulations came from all across the world. Top Chinese actress Angela Baby and Paris Hilton sent special videos wishing Sabrina every success and happiness.



In fact, the party was such a success that she had too many guests, which newspapers and magazines were only too happy to cover. I was pleased to have been able to organise this glamorous party exclusively for her and make it perfect, with the right guests, music, and of course an impeccable cake. With my guidance, Sabrina made a statement as a society queen.


Sabrina Ho styled by Lukas Kroulik and photographed by Vogue photographer Eliska Sky.

Sabrina’s gown by Mira Zwillinger with a sheer beading cape from Inbal Dror. Her diamond earrings, ring and bracelet by Chopard.


 

Tatler, April 2017, p. 162

Writer's pictureLukas Kroulik
Sep 10, 20161 min read

Creating a Whimsical World


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.







 

Writer's pictureLukas Kroulik
Sep 10, 20162 min read

One Whitehall Place

Queen Charlotte's Ball 2016


Lukas Kroulik - Creative Director, Visualiser and It-girl Maker


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.



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.


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.


Alice Yip, Dona Ding, Angela Leong, Ziwei Luo, Mrs Ding and Sabrina Ho. (L - R)


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.


 
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