SEE PICS! Elton John’s star-studded winter ball

A whole host of the rich and fabulous turned out for Elton John’s first ever London Winter Ball. And boy, what a party...

David Furnish, Lily Allen and Elton John - Celebrity News - Marie Claire
David Furnish, Lily Allen and Elton John - Celebrity News - Marie Claire
(Image credit: Rex Features)

A whole host of the rich and fabulous turned out for Elton John’s first ever London Winter Ball. And boy, what a party...

The starriest of glitteratti descended on the Grosvenor House Hotel in London last night, for Elton John's fantastical Winter Ball. 

When Elton John throws a party, you know it's going to be something of a spectacular night.

Like his world-renowned White Tie and Tiara Summer Ball, Elton's winter version, in association with Grey Goose Character and Cocktails, was an equally glittering affair - jam-packed full of his A-list pals (and Marie Claire, naturally.)

'It's the first time we've thrown a Winter Ball in the UK,' explained Elton, 'so I'm really pleased that we've been able to put on such a great night for such a worthy cause'.

Elton and partner David Furnish, enlisted the help of Roland Mouret, Lily Cole and Lily Allen to help design three cocktail bars - creating the Origami Bar, the Other Side Bar and the Lil' Box of Tracks Bar, respectively.

David Furnish, Lily Allen and Elton John - Celebrity News - Marie Claire

Their efforts were showcased on the night before being auctioned off - raising a combined total of over £175,000 for the Elton John Aids Foundation.

Guests including Lily Allen, Kevin Spacey and Liz Hurley supped on bespoke Grey Goose vodka-based cocktails - designed exclusively for the event by some of the biggest names in the drinks industry.

Elton John and Liz Hurley - Celebrity News - Marie Claire

Then came the sumptuous three-course meal. The starry crowd dined on a Winter salad starter of glazed figs, cured ham and goats' cheese mousse, followed by a main of wild seabass and ratte potatoes, and a chocolate truffle with blackberries for dessert.

The charity auction saw hundreds of thousands of pounds being bid on a succession of items - from the three designer bars, to meet-and-greets with Lewis Hamilton and Jensen Button, to winning David Furnish's gold scooter.

Kelly Rowland and Elton John - Celebrity News - Marie Claire

Entertainment came courtesy of Kelly Rowland, who had everyone up on their feet by the end of her high-energy live set - in which she performed some of her biggest solo hits, as well as revisiting her Destiny's Child days.

All in all, a hugely successful night of feel-good fun - with a phenomenal amount of money being raised for a very worthy cause.

READ: GET YOUR HANDS ON ELTON JOHN'S DESIGNER CLOBBER!

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