DAZZLING DO
Patty Kaunang always sets the bar high when it comes to parties, including her own recent lavish birthday celebration, which was filled with magical moments, outrageously lavish style, and the perfect level of panache
This year’s bigger and better birthday bash for Patty Kaunang
It felt like we were entering the glittering world of The Great Gatsby one sensational night in August. The Grand Hyatt Jakarta’s ballroom was enveloped by red drapes and the VVIP guests were all in costume, playing characters from different periods of time, all to celebrate the birthday of one of Indonesia Tatler’s closest friends, Patty Kaunang. One woman was dressed as Marilyn Monroe while another one was Harley Quinn from the DC Comics series, and all
enjoying canapés, cocktails, and wine. There was also a couple who dressed up as Fred and Wilma Flintstone from the iconic cartoon series, and a man even walked around dressed as a Catholic monk.
The party was hosted by none other than Hans Huang, who was dressed in an all-black cabaret ensemble, and he made sure that the party was lively and lavish. He then announced Patty’s grand entrance—being carried on the shoulders of two male dancers in tuxedos all while singing “Feeling Good”.
Afterwards, Millie Stephanie Lukito, the CEO of Mobiliari Group, publisher of Indonesia Tatler and its Bureau Chief, looking majestic in European nobility attire, performed an enchanting piano rendition of the theme song from Schindler’s List. Her second performance was even more mesmerising: the rendition of Cinema Paradiso’s theme song, which was accompanied by a male pole dance.
Millie’s piano performance was then followed by Bertha’s performances of “Caruso” and “This Is My Life”. Her powerful voice dazzled all the attendees, who were seen grooving along to the tunes. Patty then returned to steal everyone’s attention, clad in an
eye-catching Flamenco dress. Together with the handsome tango dancer Ezequiel Gomez, she performed a special dance to a tango version of The Police’s “Roxanne”. It was an amazing and stunning performance by both of them.
It’s expected for awards to be given out at a costume party, and Mille, together with the host, Hans Huang, picked the winners of the Best Dressed in the Cute category. The couple who wore the Flintstones costumes were awarded best of the night in this category, together with a lady dressed as the superhero Mrs Incredible, and another one as a Playboy Bunny.
After the award presentation, Hans Huang, in line with his cabaret costume, entertained the attendees with a graceful dance while singing “New York, New York”. Right after his performance, Bertha came back with her singing performance for the second time.
More awards were then given out, this time in the Drama category. Among the winners were three ladies who had dressed up beautifully as geishas from the Greatest Showman movie, and as Maleficent, a character from Sleeping Beauty, as well as others. All came to the stage to the applause of their friends, who were also all dressed to the nines as well.
It was truly a night full of beautiful entertainment and performances. Some friends of Patty’s from Singapore— Alan Chang, Lionel Lim, Matthew Ong, and Yuan Sng— also had their chance to present an amusing performance with two other male dancers right after the Best Costume in the Drama category award was given out.
Last, but not the least, it was time for the main event. Patty’s friends and family members all sang “Happy Birthday”, led by a lady in a Betty Boop costume in front of a Betty Boop–shaped birthday cake. Right after they finished singing, Patty re-entered the room from behind a curtain, dressed as Cleopatra, carried on a royal litter by four men dressed in pharaoh costumes. After all, it’s true what the host said when he opened the party: that Patty deserved one of the most extravagant parties of the year.