Hermès in Wonderland

I felt like Hermione in the magical world of Harry Potter — a world of labyrinths, Rooms of Transformation, and fantastical creatures in feathers and masks.

The feeling was definitely Cinderella-like at the Hermès Silk Ball, held at the Rigodon Ballroom of the Peninsula Manila Hotel on Sept. 18.

More accurately, I felt like a dolled-up Hermione in the magical world of Harry Potter — a world of labyrinths, Rooms of Transformation, and fantastical creatures in feathers and masks.

First of all, you couldn’t just swan into the ballroom. You had to enter through a maze of mirrors and walls covered in the colorful scarf prints of Hermès’ current season.

Once you navigated that successfully — maybe after a wrong turn or two and multiple opportunities for a photo op — you found yourself in the kind of environment only Hermès could transform with its exquisite form of elegance.

Among the VIPs, Hermès clients and press guests, a group of ethereal women floated by like a horde of Fleur Delacours, gilded in glittering face paint and elaborate headdresses. They were the Hermès Muses — ladies selected to represent the “Hermès Woman” in general, and the “Hermès Filipino Woman,” in particular.

Hermès provided them with a “Room of Transformation” at the Peninsula where they could have their facemasks placed, headdresses installed and sticker “tattoos” applied.

Plans for this ball started as far back as December 2013, when Hermès country manager Mario Katigbak and his team submitted the floor plans of the Peninsula Manila to Hermès Paris, which began preparing all the elements like the maze, a stage with a DJ booth, the Room of Transformation, a Room of Discussion (a private, quiet corner for friends to gather in), a photo booth where you could have a souvenir photo taken, enhanced by Hermès silk scarves and a backdrop (also called a Chameleon Photo Booth, the same scarf prints on the background were on the silk-scarf prop, which created the illusion of the subject blending in).

Hermès Paris designed all the silk elements, masks … even the tattoos, and flew them in from the City of Lights, showing the level of care, imagination and attention Hermès pays to this global event. Other cities that have held the Masked Ball are Korea, Hawaii, Malaysia, and London; the next masked ball will be held in Shanghai, where Hermès recently opened its fifth Maison, or flagship store, as well as Paris and New York.

The buffet tables were set to simulate a Bacchanalian feast, laid out with dozens of hot and cold canapés like foie gras terrines with gingerbread and mango; scallops with saffron leeks, wasabi cream and caviar; and desserts like tarte tatin Maree-style with apple and almond cream; fresh strawberries with vanilla cream, red-fruit coulis with peppercorns and sablé Breton; and my personal favorite, mini chocolate and salted-caramel éclairs.

Before I had my fill of these finger foods I made sure to visit the carving stations outside offering Raclette cheese, roast beef, roast duck, and roast lamb.

While we nibbled on the delicious spread we watched the program emceed by Miss Universe-Philippines Shamcey Supsup and model-actor Brent Javier. In “Silk It Up,” a dance number choreographed by Paris and interpreted by the team of JunJun Garcia, dancers showed off Hermès silk scarves in movement in a vogue-inspired dance. There were also dance-offs and tutorials with guests, among them actor Diether Ocampo.

The big silk celebration this year builds on the Hermès theme of the Year of Metamorphoses, thus the concept of the Silk Ball.

Helping Hermès’ Manila team were Moss Manila, The Peninsula Manila, Forsc INK, Zenas Pineda, and Jackie Aquino. Peps Eugenio and his team did the makeup, Prince of Groove Paint Party organized the face-painting team, while Michael Tan and Rabbit Hole Creatives designed the fairytale-like headdresses.

With Piper-Heidsieck Champagne flowing all night and adding a gauzy aspect to the atmosphere, the Hermès Silk Ball was truly an elegant and enchanting evening.

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In the Philippines, the Hermès boutique is located at Greenbelt 3, Ayala Center, Makati.

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