Aloysius Society

The Aloysius Society is a philanthropic group of current, and former, University of Oxford students dedicated to supporting those in need around the globe.[1] Founded by Lawrence Barclay and Francesca Lamarque in 2008, Aloysius Society members organise large-scale events to raise money and awareness for their chosen charities.

Aloysius Society
Formation1 October 2008 (2008-10-01)
PurposePhilanthropy
Membership
20
Key people
Francesca Lamarque, Lawrence Barclay, Jessica Hao, Sophie de Beistegui, Caitlin Place, Leo Gilmour
WebsiteAloysius Society

Past events have included the Sugarplum Ball (2009), the Oxford Red Dress Couture Ball (2010), the Marefat Dinner (2011), the Mindful Gala Dinner (2011), and the Turquoise Gala (2015).

Events

The Sugarplum Ball

The first event organised by the Aloysius Society was the Sugarplum Ball, held at the Natural History Museum on 30 November 2009 in aid of SOS Children's Villages,[2] an organisation that provides family-based, long-term care for children who can no longer remain with their biological families.[3] The Sugarplum Ball was attended by guests such as Sarah, Duchess of York, Princess Beatrice of York, star of the Narnia films Anna Popplewell[4] and Sir Rocco Forte. Michelin-starred chef Tom Aikens designed the menu, Tracey Emin designed the invitations, and auction prizes included a picture of Kate Moss's bottom, owned by her.[2] The ball's sponsors included Ivan the Terrible, and Martell.

The Oxford Red Dress Couture Ball

On 18 June 2010, The Oxford Red Dress Couture Ball was a three-part event organised by the Aloysius Society[5] in aid of H.E.L.P. charity. Participating designers included Chanel, Herve Leger, Marchesa, John Galliano,[6] Armani and Alexander McQueen. Red, the international colour of hope for those affected by HIV/AIDS, was the unifying link carried throughout the evening's festivities, which were centred on the Oxford Town Hall and the famed Divinity School, Oxford.[7] Prizes were donated to auction by stars such as Pete Townshend,[7] and the event garnered the support of celebrities such as Sir Roger Moore,[8] and industry leaders such as Anna Wintour and Harold Tillman.[9] Cynthia Leive, editor-in-chief of Glamour US, termed the event "a truly powerful night for fashion, for academia, and for charity".[10]

The Marefat Dinner

The Society organised the Marefat Dinner with Lord Speaker Baroness D'Souza and journalist Christa D'Souza, at The Connaught on 3 February 2011. The dinner was in aid of the Marefat High School in West Kabul, Afghanistan, which champions education in one of Kabul's most devastated districts. The dinner was attended by guests including Roland Mouret, Alice Temperley, Jemima Khan, Fatima Bhutto, Edie Campbell, Vogue editor Alexandra Shulman, Tatler editor Kate Reardon, Laura Bailey, Cherie Blair,[11] Anya Hindmarch, Jeremy Clarkson,[12] Mariella Frostrup, AA Gill,[13] and Simon Cowell's Afghan fiancée Mezhgan Hussainy.[14] The auction included prize experiences donated by Roland Mouret, Yotam Ottolenghi and the Dorchester Collection, with Jeremy Clarkson offering an impromptu driving lesson that fetched £19,000. An Afghan-inspired feast was designed by two-Michelin-starred chef Hélène Darroze, and drinks were sponsored by Moët & Chandon.[1]

The Mindful Gala Dinner

On 21 September 2011, the Aloysius Society organised the Mindful Gala Dinner with Mind to launch the Mindful of Art exhibition curated by artist Stuart Semple.[15] The exhibition, held in the Old Vic Tunnels, included artworks from world-renowned artists such as Tracey Emin, Jake and Dinos Chapman, Sarah Lucas, Mat Collishaw and the late Sebastian Horsley. The dinner took place at the Imperial War Museum and was hosted by Lord Melvyn Bragg and Stephen Fry, who officially took up his role as President of the mental health charity during the evening.[15] Prizes auctioned off on the night by Sotheby's auctioneer Lord Dalmeny included a day in the recording studio with The Kooks.[16] The menu was designed by Adriano Cavagnini, Executive Chef of the Four Seasons London,[17] and drinks were sponsored by Veuve Cliquot.

The Turquoise Gala

On 3 October 2015, the Society organised the Turquoise Gala at the Victoria & Albert Museum with Turquoise Mountain in support of their 2016 exhibition at the Smithsonian.[18][19] The evening featured an exhibition of artwork by Turquoise Mountain graduates, and a live auction run by Christie's. Auction prizes included a work of art by Antony Gormley, a music lesson with Julian Lloyd Webber, and a luxury holiday donated by Richard Branson. Desserts were sponsored by Maitre Choux, and drinks by Horiot, Red Squirrel, and Penderyn; turquoise jellies were provided by Bompas & Parr in the shape of the Blue Mosque in Mazar-i-Sharif. Guests received jam provided by Duchy Originals, arranged to reflect the historic Minaret of Jam.

Partner Events

The Aloysius Society also partnered with the Inca Ball,[20] the Poppy Ball, and the Jasmine Ball. Aloysius's Lawrence Barclay and Nadeem Lalani are on the committee of the Inca Ball and Poppy Ball respectively.[21]

Press

Aloysius events have been covered by a wide range of publications, including the Evening Standard,[4] The Guardian,[22] Vogue,[1] Tatler,[2] The Sunday Times Style magazine, Grazia, Hello,[3] Dazed Digital,[9] Harper's Bazaar[23] and Time Out.[24]

References
  1. Sharon Forrester (4 February 2011). "The Marefat Dinner (Vogue.com UK)". Vogue.co.uk. Retrieved 17 October 2011.
  2. "The Sugarplum Ball". Tatler. Retrieved 17 October 2011.
  3. "Strong bond between Sarah Ferguson and Bea evident | Latest celebrity news". Hello!. Archived from the original on 12 October 2012. Retrieved 17 October 2011.
  4. "Londoner's Diary | Evening Standard". Londonersdiary.standard.co.uk. 30 November 2009. Archived from the original on 3 November 2011. Retrieved 17 October 2011.
  5. "Christiane King to participate at the Oxford Red Dress Couture Ball along with John Galliano, Marchesa & Max Azria". Bella Naija. 10 May 2010. Retrieved 17 October 2011.
  6. "Well Red (Vogue.com UK)". Vogue.co.uk. 16 June 2010. Archived from the original on 7 March 2012. Retrieved 17 October 2011.
  7. "Oxford Red Dress Couture Ball Review". Oxfordcityguide.com. 21 June 2010. Archived from the original on 5 March 2012. Retrieved 17 October 2011.
  8. "Jewish students' Gucci fashion event | The Jewish Chronicle". Thejc.com. 3 June 2010. Retrieved 17 October 2011.
  9. "Red Dress Couture Ball". Dazed Digital. Retrieved 17 October 2011.
  10. Whispered by The Clothes Whisperer (11 June 2010). "the fashion blog with wit that sparkles: Back to School With a Ball: The Oxford Red Dress Couture Ball 2010". The Clothes Whisperer. Retrieved 17 October 2011.
  11. "The Marefat Dinner (Vogue.com UK)". Vogue.co.uk. Retrieved 17 October 2011.
  12. "London Last Night: The Marefat Dinner | Zoe Griffin". Live Like A VIP. 30 June 2010. Archived from the original on 20 March 2012. Retrieved 17 October 2011.
  13. "The Marefat Dinner (Vogue.com UK)". Vogue.co.uk. Retrieved 17 October 2011.
  14. "The Marefat Dinner (Vogue.com UK)". Vogue.co.uk. Retrieved 17 October 2011.
  15. "Stephen Fry takes over as President of mental health charity". Mind. 22 September 2011. Retrieved 17 October 2011.
  16. Alice Capiaghi (28 June 2011). "Lady D Underground". Vogue.it. Retrieved 17 October 2011.
  17. "Chapman Brothers, Stephen Fry and Stuart Semple raise thousands for Mind in a labarinth [sic] under Waterloo | Stuart Semple – News". Stuartsemple.com. 22 September 2011. Archived from the original on 17 December 2011. Retrieved 17 October 2011.
  18. "The Turquoise Gala". Tatler Bystander. 7 January 2016. Retrieved 11 January 2016.
  19. "2016 Exhibition will showcase Turquoise Mountain's revival of artisans in Afghanistan". Freer Sackler. 18 March 2015. Archived from the original on 7 September 2015. Retrieved 21 October 2015.
  20. "Friends". The Inca Ball. Archived from the original on 24 April 2012. Retrieved 17 October 2011.
  21. http://www.thepoppyball.co.uk/committes.php
  22. Iain Aitch; Colette Bernhardt; Katrina Dixon (17 September 2011). "This week's new events | Culture". The Guardian. UK. Retrieved 17 October 2011.
  23. "Oxford Red Dress Couture Ball – Latest Fashion Trends – Harper's BAZAAR". Harpersbazaar.com. Archived from the original on 5 February 2012. Retrieved 17 October 2011.
  24. "Mindful at Old Vic Tunnels – Exhibitions – Time Out London". Timeout.com. 22 September 2011. Retrieved 17 October 2011.
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