Belles of the ball

Flamboyant socialite Susanna Kang swept into the Icon Ball wearing a glittering black gown with a mermaid silhouette and an impressive puffed skirt resembling a cocoon, which she wore as a cape.

She wanted to make her gown an "SG50 tribute" so her designer Alfie Leong used 150m of black lace fabric to create a theatrical "cocoon" skirt, representing metamorphosis.

"Just like how the larva evolves into a butterfly, Singapore is in a constant state of change," said Ms Kang, a housewife in her 50s.

She was among the 20 awarded the title of Best Dressed women at Icon Magazine's annual event at the Shangri-La Hotel Island Ballroom on Wednesday evening.

Society women, corporate leaders and business partners were among the 420 guests who gathered for a night of glitz and grandeur at the Icon Ball, which marked the 10th anniversary of the magazine's publications.

The theme - A Night With Stars - re-created the sophistication of red-carpet events in Hollywood.

Guests got the chance to be a star for the night, starting their evening by walking down a 30m-long red carpet.

They also enjoyed pre-dinner beauty touch-ups from specialists at the Cle de Peau Beaute make-up booth and fragrance recommendations from luxury fragrance expert M. Micallef.

The highlight of the night was the announcement of the 20 Best Dressed women, who included lawyer Marisa Hjelle Wee. She said her outfit was bought on sale and that she was surprised when she was called up.

Ms Wee, who declined to reveal her age, turned up in a stunning yet sleek gold-sequined dress by Dolce & Gabbana, with matching gold accessories.

Icon, a Chinese luxury and lifestyle magazine for Singapore's bilingual elite, is published by SPH Magazines.

samgohwy@sph.com.sg

This article was first published on April 17, 2015.
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