Of all the legacies indelibly imprinted by the Astor family upon The St. Regis New York and, subsequently, the St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, Caroline Astor’s reputation for throwing utterly memorable, jaw-droppingly glamorous parties is still the stuff of legend. For four decades, the mother of the St. Regis’ founder, John Jacob Astor IV, ruled New York society with an iron grip (though always immaculately clad in a jewel-encrusted velvet glove) at the turn of the 20th century.
Invitations to her private teas, midnight suppers and lavish galas—and in particular, her annual ball—were enormously coveted and issued only to those whom the Mrs Astor considered part of the upper echelons of New York’s fashionable elite. Fast-forward 140 years or so, and an occasion or event at any St. Regis address—be it in Hong Kong, Shanghai or Kuala Lumpur—is still an opulence-laden affair, albeit with fewer ivory fans and diamond stomachers.
The May launch of The House of Celebration at The St. Regis Jakarta set the pace for a new series of limited edition cultural, fashion, and dining experiences offered at St. Regis properties across the Asia Pacific region. Timeless rituals unique to the St. Regis and a selection of exciting new traditions will follow a unique theme for all four seasons of the year, beginning with a Celebration of People from 31 May to 4 July.
The performance-inspired interiors of The St. Regis Jakarta, from its kinetic ‘Sound of Light’ chandelier to the glittering, undulating ceilings of The Astor Ballroom, provided a suitably sumptuous setting for The House of Celebration’s very first soirée. First came an ultra-exclusive Midnight Supper with a carefully curated guest list that included Korean-American singer-songwriter Jessica Jung, formerly of superstar K-pop group Girls’ Generation, echoing Mrs Astor’s famous ‘The Four Hundred’ list of favoured invitees.
Director of Culinary Oscar Perez led diners on a bespoke culinary expedition, starting with coupes of Billecart-Salmon Brut Réserve and Sturia caviar on toasted brioche squares, through to Atlantic lobster with burrata and richly marbled Kiwami Wagyu ribeye. Amidst the enchanting table decorations and towering waterfall floral arrangements, eagle-eyed guests noticed the St. Regis’ seasonal Spring pattern adorning the dinner menus and cushions, which featured butterflies and the hotel’s crest on a light green background.
Following the dinner, an assemblage of notable luminaries and tastemakers based in Indonesia’s capital city gathered around a mirrored catwalk to view local fashion designer Monica Ivena’s newest capsule collection, entitled ‘Kaleidoscope Dreams’. Adhering to her characteristic aesthetic—hyper-feminine, elaborately embellished and embroidered creations dripping with beads, sequins, and metallic fringing—Ivena’s four-segment fashion show took attendees through her themed visions of Gatsby, Disco, Under the Sea, and Birds of Paradise.
Fashionistas and close followers desiring a deeper insight into Ivena’s work were able to attend a more intimate Bright Encounters thought salon, which took place over a St. Regis afternoon tea—another stalwart tradition of the House of Astor. As guests nibbled their way through tiers of Balinese chicken bao, Earl Grey croquembouches, and pandan scones with lemon curd, Marriott International’s Senior Director of Brand & Destination Marketing for Asia Pacific, Patricia Cheung, interviewed Ivena about her career trajectory and design philosophy.
Citing “the grit and heart” of the strong women in her life, the Indonesian designer—who has gone from launching her label in her garage to dressing Taylor Swift and Nicole Scherzinger—stated, “The eagerness has to be there, always, to keep on creating.” Several choice designs from the previous evening’s show remained on display close to The Drawing Room, with Ivena encouraging guests to touch and feel their many details—a sensory treat that preceded yet another House of Celebration experience, The Violet Hour.
Within the confines of the jazz-themed The St. Regis Bar, against the backdrop of a wayang kulit mural by Indonesian artist Eddy Susanto, and beneath a trombone- and trumpet-toting chandelier, a celebration of The Art of Drinking was underway. In a ritual explained as mastering every single element of the drinking experience, The St. Regis Bar’s skilled barmen demonstrated how to ‘throw’ one of their three signature Martinis with panache beside a cocktail trolley, mixing gin, violet liqueur, and orange bitters.
Along with the velvety Violet Hour, Flame of Love, and Poets Dream martinis—all intended to be made and drunk during that magical hour of transition between dusk and deepening evening—The St. Regis Jakarta’s locally inspired Bloody Mary came into play. In keeping with the tradition of every St. Regis hotel around the world creating a Bloody Mary of its own (the original stemmed from The St. Regis New York’s King Cole Bar), the property placed its Batavia Mary in the spotlight.
An appetising mix of gin, Indonesian arak firewater, pungent sambal oelek, and native spices, the Batavia Mary channelled Jakarta’s bold, uncompromising flavours, all underlined by Indonesia’s multicultural heritage. Just as tasty were the deep-fried, crunchy rempeyek crackers accompanying the cocktail, which were so moreish that perhaps even Mrs Astor herself—for all her ladylike elegance—might not have been able to resist.
