Saturday 12 May 2012

Birthday girl Holly Valance in a plunging claret gown at ARK charity gala


Birthday girl Holly Valance cuts a slimmer figure in a plunging claret gown at ARK charity gala

    She may be living in London these days, but Holly Valance turned to her one-time hometown of Hollywood for fashion inspiration last night.
The Australian singer/actress, who spent several years living in LA in the mid-Noughties, harked back to the old Hollywood glamour of yesteryear as she arrived at the ARK Gala Dinner in London.
Old Hollywood glamour: Holly Valance opted for a plunging claret dress as she joins fiancé Nick Candy at the ARK Gala Dinner at Kensington Palace Gardens
Old Hollywood glamour: Holly Valance opted for a plunging claret dress as she joins fiancé Nick Candy at the ARK Gala Dinner at Kensington Palace Gardens
Curvy: The material clung onto the actress's curvy shape as she arrived the fundraising meal
Curvy: The material clung onto the actress's curvy shape as she arrived the fundraising meal
Curvy: The material clung onto the actress's curvy shape as she arrived the fundraising meal
Holly seen having lunch last month with Nick Candy in West Hollywood
Indulging: Holly was seen having lunch in West Hollywood last month with her fiance
Accompanied by her property tycoon fiancé Nick Candy, the Strictly Come Dancing star - who turns 29 today - looked stunning in a plunging claret gown.
It was a return to svelte form for the singer/actress, who was pictured just a few weeks ago look rather less trim.
Holly and Nick were invited by organiser Arpad Busson to his annual event, which last year saw the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in attendance.
Tickets for the event raised money for the Absolute Return for Kids (ARK), which protects and helps children around the world through education and healthcare.
Missing out on the event was Busson's pregnant girlfriend Uma Thurman, who is expecting their first child together in the summer.
But Busson was joined by his two sons Flynn and Cy from his previous relationship with supermodel Elle Macpherson.
Having just returned from Los Angeles, Valance admitted she was so busy, she had to be reminded by Candy is was her birthday on Friday.
She tweeted: 'Lucky the fiancé reminded me. "Darling it's your birthday tomorrow" Me: "Oh yeah?!..."
Model behaviour: Eva Herzigova glimmered in a black sequinned jersey dress (left), while former Marks & Spencer model Laura Bailey looked pretty in pink lace
Model behaviour: Eva Herzigova shimmered in a black sequinned fitted dress
Model behaviour: Eva Herzigova shimmered in a black sequinned fitted dress 
Pale and interesting: Former Marks & Spencer model Laura Bailey looked pretty in pink lace
Pale and interesting: Former Marks & Spencer model Laura Bailey looked pretty in pink lace
Pale and interesting: Former Marks & Spencer model Laura Bailey looked pretty in pink lace
'Yay! Canapes at the ready!'
Earlier that day, Valance had dyed her hair a lighter shade of blonde at the Daniel Galvin salon in Belgravia.
She tweeted: 'Pretending it's summer and gone blondey!-er! Thanks @danielgalvinjr. & @Miguapochino !!! Feelin' pwitty! X.'
Dapper: Ark founder Arpad Busson with his sons
Dapper: Ark founder Arpad Busson with his sons
Going green: Jemima Khan wore a jade dress with an embroidered cape (left), while socialite Heather Kerzner wore a cowl necked pistachio-coloured number
Going green: Jemima Khan wore a jade dress with an embroidered cape (left), while socialite Heather Kerzner wore a cowl necked pistachio-coloured number
Going green: Jemima Khan wore a jade dress with an embroidered cape (left), while socialite Heather Kerzner wore a cowl necked pistachio-coloured number
After getting engaged in the Maldives just before Christmas, Valance and Candy have decided to wait until 2013 to tie the knot.
They cited the Queen's Jubilee and the Olympics as reasons to wait because they want to enjoy both events without worrying about wedding planning.
The pair, who started dating just over two years ago, are currently at odds over where to marry.
Pale and interesting: (L-R) Model/author India Hicks wore a white top and wide trousers, TV presenter Mariella Frostrup wore a creamy shift, while former athlete Denise Lewis wore a baby pink prom dress
Pale and interesting: (L-R) Model/author India Hicks wore a white top and wide trousers, TV presenter Mariella Frostrup wore a creamy shift, while former athlete Denise Lewis wore a baby pink prom dress
Pale and interesting: (L-R) Model/author India Hicks wore a white top and wide trousers, TV presenter Mariella Frostrup wore a creamy shift, while former athlete Denise Lewis wore a baby pink prom dress
Pale and interesting: (L-R) Model/author India Hicks wore a white top and wide trousers, TV presenter Mariella Frostrup wore a creamy shift, while former athlete Denise Lewis wore a baby pink prom dress
Friends say Valance wants to marry in California, while Candy, 39, would love to tie the knot in the South of France or Italy.
A pal told the Mail On Sunday's Katie Nicholl column: 'Holly wants to marry in LA because she lived there for years, and has contacted wedding planners there, but Nick is trying to convince her to have it somewhere more classic in Europe.
'Nick likes the idea of Italy or the South of France, where he usually has his superyacht moored.'
Coupled up: Liz Hurley's ex-husband Arun Nayar and Kimberly Johnson (left) and Green Shield stamp heir Tim Jeffries and his wife Marin
Coupled up: Liz Hurley's ex-husband Arun Nayar and Kimberly Johnson (left) and Green Shield stamp heir Tim Jeffries and his wife Marin
Coupled up: Liz Hurley's ex-husband Arun Nayar and Kimberly Johnson (left) and Green Shield stamp heir Tim Jeffries and his wife Marin
Legendary snapper David Bailey and his wife Catherine Dyer wore contrasting styles
Old school: Legendary snapper David Bailey and his wife Catherine Dyer wore contrasting styles


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2142690/Holly-Valance-puts-old-Hollywood-glamour-plunging-claret-gown-Ark-charity-gala.html#ixzz1ubzXPbAs