KATUSHA FLETCHER GETS ON HER HIGH HORSE AND
HOLDS THEM UP AT THE MAY DAY HOME HOUSE PARTY
“HOLDUP HEROINES” IN PORTMAN SQUARE
STAND
&
DELIVER...
M
ay Day has traditionally
been an occasion for joy-
ous and often raucous cel-
ebrations, and this year
proved no exception as the ever ele-
gant Home House in West End’s
Portman Square was transported back
to the realms of 18th century grandeur
for the London return of Holdup
Heroines.
Holdup Heroines, the brainchild of
fashion designer Chris Birch and jet set
party coordinator Mari-Liis Ivalo, com-
bines the prestige of 18th century
court and the romance of “highway-
men legend” with the cream of club-
land DJs. In this topsy-turvy world of
drama, decadence and dance music,
one thing is certain - this is not your
run-of-mill costume party.
The influence behind these parties
comes from four remarkable 18th cen-
tury beauties from the four corners of
the globe who came together by a
chance meeting at the court of Marie
Antoinette to cause consternation,
dread and heartbreak amongst the
noblemen and women of the day.These
swashbuckling sirens became known as
“The Holdup Heroines”. Fast-forward
200 or so years and the name lives on
in the form of a glamorous, society
night held in a myriad of Europe’s finest
mansions.
The 1st of May with London still
aglow with the warmest April on
record, provided the perfect backdrop
for the party of the spring season.
Guests stepped up to Home House
from 8pm to be greeted effusively, or
not by celebrity-stylist, designer and
dandy Lewis-Duncan Weedon. Woe
betide any partygoer who failed to
make the appropriate amount of effort
over their appearance, as Lewis-