The end of the year is a gala season and Beijing has no shortage of fabulous black-tie charity events for you to choose from. This month for Indulge, I’m excited to feature my good friend, and mom to three handsome boys, Elisabeth Kang, who essentially attends every gala in the city.

Already a Laurent Falcon regular, Kang met the beijingkids team at Laurent Falcon in Sanlitun for a makeover that’s worthy of any red carpet.

One of the things we love about Laurent Falcon is that their stylists will never try to push any current trend on their guests. It’s just a fact that the same hairstyle isn’t going to work for every person, and having a hair dresser who doesn’t try to convince you to get the most recent hair trend saves you a lot of stress and frustration.

What Kang asked for was unconventional, but Laurent Falcon was able to deliver exactly what she pictured. She asked for a blonde balayage color fade with no additional treatment to her roots so that her natural grey hairs could still visibly grow out. Not every woman is trying to hide their age. Some wear their grey hairs proudly.

Spending the day at Laurent Falcon watching her get her hair done was surprisingly fun! The hair salon has a brand new cocktail menu with delicious options for their guests (and guests’ guests) to enjoy, they also added some of the best salon furniture, so it was very comfortable for me to wait. Which brings me back to charity galas. It’s always more fun to attend these events with your closest friends, and getting ready together is one of the best parts. With a salon that will make you over from head to toe all while providing you with endless cocktails, more of us should make pre-party group pampering a part of our holiday gala tradition.

Following hair and makeup at Laurent Falcon, Kang showed off one of her favorite formal wear looks – a custom-made embroidered skirt paired with a simple gold top and handmade fascinator to bring the whole look together. Looking like a golden trophy, this beautiful mom is ready for any party this city throws her way.

Hair: Laurent Falcon, French Style Salon F/2, Sanlitun North Street South www.laurent-falcon.com (6409 4243) Wardrobe: Hat by Elisabeth Koch Millinery Location: Hulu by TRB

This article appeared in the beijingkids December 2019 Giving Back issue

Gala season is in full swing in Beijing. Since the beginning of March our capital has played host to several fabulous ballroom events, including the recent St. Patrick’s Day Irish Ball and AustCham’s rock-‘n’-roll themed ball. The pageantry, however, isn’t likely to abate anytime soon, as many more black tie occasions are scheduled in the coming weeks and months, including: the Kempinski Vienna Ball, the American Ball, and BSB’s Murder Mystery Ball.

With all the wining, dining, and dancing; one may feel a tad guilty not being able to spend that quality time with the kids. One ballroom concept, however, is looking to change just that, and in the process help redefine family fun in Beijing. Fundancia, organized by the International Diplomatic Network (iD Beijing) and the British School of Beijing, Sanlitun, is being touted as Beijing’s first ever family ball.

The event, held at the Kerry Hotel Grand Ballroom on April 16, will feature acrobatic performances by the Chaoyang Theatre; this includes stilt walkers, unicyclists, jugglers, balloon makers, face painters, and more. Most importantly, the proceeds of the event go toward finalizing a construction project in benefit of The Migrant Children’s Foundation.

Early bird tickets are currently on sale until March 25, costing RMB 900 (which is good for one adult and one child). After March 25, tickets will be RMB 1,000 (one adult and one child). Additional children or an accompanying ayi’s ticket are RMB 200 (each).

Included in the tickets are complimentary pre-ball cocktails (mocktails for kids), three course seated dinner for the adults, buffet dinner for kids, free flowing alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, and more.

Tickets can be paid for in cash at the reception desk of The British School of Beijing, Sanlitun during school days between 9am and 3pm. The address is 5 Xiliujie, Sanlitun Road, Beijing （三里屯路西六街5号北京英国学校）For more information, email fundancia@idiplomatic.net or click here.

Photos: www.vimbly.com,Diplomatic Network (iD Beijing)

Leather, bass guitars, and greasy hair-dos are the essential thematic props for the 2016 Australian and New Zealand Ball dubbed the Rock n’ Roll Ball that’s going to happen on January 23, 2016 at the Sofitel Wanda Hotel. There are early bird ticket available (not sure for how long) going for RMB 1,100 per person and RMB 11,000 for a table of 10 people.

The normal priced tickets are RMB 1,200 per person and RMB 12,000 per table of 10 people. Email events@austcham.org to book your tickets. Click here to get more information.

Channel your inner Elvis or Stevie Nicks and make your debut at the ball dressed to the nines and hopefully ready to let yourself rock on to the tunes of the band.

Photo: Austcham.org