More than 200 celebrities and socialites ushered in 2009 in monochrome style at The St Regis’ Lady Astor’s Black and White New Year’s Eve Ball. Guests were treated to a 5-course dinner, free flow of champagne and wine, music by a 16-piece swing band and a fashion show by designer Kevin Seah. At midnight, 12 over-sized balloons, filled with 900 smaller ones and suspended from the ballroom ceiling, popped.

Photos: ST, Alphonsus Chern, TNP, Choo Chwee Hua. This article was first published in The Straits Times on Jan 2, 2009.