High Society Holiday 1997 -

At midnight, the host, Alistair Clairmont, raised a crystal coupe. "To a year of unprecedented growth," he toasted, his voice echoing under the gold-leaf ceiling. "And to a future that looks even brighter."

Julianne smiled, though her eyes were on the center of the room. Princess Diana had passed only months ago, and a certain somber elegance still clung to the season’s fashion—lots of black lace and understated pearls. Yet, as the live orchestra transitioned from Gershwin to a sophisticated arrangement of "Candle in the Wind," the mood shifted from commerce to legacy. High Society Holiday 1997

Julianne St. James adjusted her vintage Dior—a silhouette that whispered "old money" while her brand-new Motorola StarTAC, tucked discreetly in her silk clutch, screamed "new era." The room was a sea of velvet tuxedos and champagne flutes, smelling of expensive cigars and Chanel No. 5. At midnight, the host, Alistair Clairmont, raised a