Table tittle-tattle in best possible taste

Keeping Posted — Glenn Gale

Don't ask me how, but I found myself the only male among a bevy of Hongkong's beautiful people — Flora Cheong-Leen (no, make that Mrs Alan Hoo), Terri Holladay Chao, Chantal Slim, Pauline Cruz, Karen Picquot … you get the picture.

We were assembled at a chic tea party, hosted by Nina Ricci at the Grand Hyatt's elegant Grand Salon, to unveil its spring/summer collection.

The conversation naturally dwelt on the subject of cosmetics and make-up, with the ladies sharing their secrets while I listened on benignly.

Over at the front Nina Ricci's regional make-up artist, Singaporean Chan Bao Wen, was gallantly trying to work miracles on one or two of the ladies who had volunteered to be "models" for the afternoon.

It's quite amazing this beauty care thing. You could have your eyebrows styled, eyelashes trimmed, a facial, manicure, pedicure. And that was just for the men!

Soon the conversation at our table turned to other matters — like how four-months-pregnant Terri was coping. "I seem to be eating so much these days. I put on three pounds just at one meal the other day," she mused.

"But you can hardly tell," the others offered in sympathy, while I busied myself studying the contents of a profiterole.

With Pauline, wife of champion jockey Tony Cruz, present, racing was next on the agenda.

"I love to go to the races, but Cecil hates it," lamented Terri. "He just does not have the patience." The rest of the gang nodded considerately.

"For a perfect finish just brush gently under the neck …" make-up artist Chen Bao Wen went on, vainly trying to compete with Chantal, Pauline et al.

But it was no use.

PS: The champagne corks were popping louder than usual last night at the Champagne Bar where manager John Nielsen was celebrating the birth of a bouncing 3.86 kilogram baby boy to his Aussie wife Penny at Matilda Hospital.

Father and son are recovering well. Mum Penny is not doing too bad either.

Photo caption: Chantal Slim, Pauline Cruz and Terri Holladay Chao were among those at the chic party at the Grand Hyatt's Grand Salon to launch Nina Ricci's new spring/summer cosmetics collection.