The sweet aromas of teas and flowers wafted on the breeze.  Elegantly dressed women socialized while sipping on delicious teas, munching on finger foods and "drinking" in the perfume from the flowers that hung in the air.  That was the scene at the recent Sir Victor (Bahamas) Heart Ball Committee's 5th Annual Tea Party & Fashion Show at Government House.

It was a different scene than Peresse Seymour is accustomed to.  The 20-something who modeled at this year's event says while she spent most of the day inside, whenever she ventured outside, she found the tea party and fashion show "interesting", especially as it was different from her usual outings.

Seymour is the niece of Wanda Gomez, who attended her third consecutive tea party, which she finds very British and nice. Gomez was invited to her first tea party three years ago by the chairperson of the Sir Victor (Bahamas) Heart Ball Committee, Portia Nottage, and the plant lover's attention was immediately caught by the way the tables are decorated.  It's those decorated tables that have kept her going back three years later.

"They always have a table contest, and to see the ideas some of the women come up with... they have to be very creative," she said.  This year she was enamored of a table that had a wreath in a heart with dark red bougainvillea flowers.  "It's just amazing the ideas they come up with," she said.

The hat competition is another treat for Gomez, and the way the women dress also amazes her.  "They don't just put on the hat ... it's their attire, their gloves, their handbags, their shoes, and they walk around very ditty.  It's all very important and very British; it's really nice.  And then you get to see people you don't get to see all year as well.  And it's an outing. It is fun," she says.

The tea party and fashion show, held under the theme "Flowers of The Caribbean", jumpstarted The Sir Victor (Bahamas) Heart Ball Committee  fundraising activities.
The fun-filled afternoon of elegance consisted of a fashion show, a hat parade and a table decorating contest. Teas were provided by the Island Rose Teas, Pasion Tea Ltd., Twinings Tea and native teas from Beth Stuart of Beth's Kitchen.

Guests were mesmerized by fashion as models showed off clothing pieces from BCBG Boutique and The Seventeen Shop.  Additionally, they modeled jewelry from Nadia Campbell Jewellery. The Sir Victor Sassoon (Bahamas) Heart Foundation is a non-profit organization that assists children with the treatment of heart repair.  The Heart Ball Committee is the fundraising arm of The Foundation.

In preparation for the annual Heart Ball, the public can submit a written nomination, explaining why their nominee should be awarded the 2011 Lady Sassoon Golden Heart Award which recognizes individuals who have selflessly given of themselves to promote human welfare and dignity, making life better for their fellow men.  The deadline for the award is January 13, 2012. The award will be presented at the 48th Annual Heart Ball, February 18, 2012 at the Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort.

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