Shopping and champers appeal to the well heeled

Indulgence was on the agenda as high rollers sipped champagne and nibbled designer cookies at the high-tea launch of Style Network's Versace collection.

Sita Hiralall, who runs the high-end boutique in Umhlanga, and her business-partner husband, Jits, were the hosts of the exclusive event at the Oyster Box hotel on Sunday afternoon last week.

It was an intimate gathering of about 60 guests, including controversial businesswoman Shawn Mpisane and family friend Kajal Bagwandeen and her husband, Quinton Singh.

The formalities were coordinated by brand manager Brendan Clarivette, who introduced Hiralall.

The fashionista, who specialises in creating a one-stop celebrity look for her clients - she also runs a hair and beauty salon - is a regular visitor to Milan.

She expressed her gratitude to her loyal clientele. Thereafter it was simply a matter of enjoying the sumptuous spread.

Browsing was kick-started with the modelling of a sexy one-piece costume by the newly installed Miss KwaZulu-Natal, Renalda Hoffmann.

Some of the guests made a beeline for the wraps and dainty desserts, and others headed straight to the handbags and shoes.

Among the hobnobbers was seasoned traveller, foodie and wine connoisseur Yegas Naidoo, who wore eye-catching bling jewellery in the shape of a handbag. Naidoo said that her mom, who is her fiercest critic, did not approve, but she wore it anyway.

Versace designer cookies, cupcakes and two cakes, which formed table centre pieces, were supplied by Hiralall's friend, Serena Jagadasan (whose husband, Ravi, is implicated in the Tongaat Mall collapse inquiry).

Mpisane - in Cavalli shoes, Gideon dress and a Tom Ford clutch - was mortified when Clarivette announced that she was the first buyer of the day (clients who bought a handbag were eligible to a free gift of either pumps or sandals worth R4000).

In the end she walked off with a new pair of shoes and two bulging bags.

Talk about being well heeled.