Renaissance Men SA: #EVENT: Popping Champers at the 5th Annual Veuve Clicquot Masters Polo 2015

I don’t personally think I ever have as much elegant fun at any horseracing event than I do when I’m at the Veuve Clicquot Masters Polo. Now in its fifth year, hosted at the beautiful Val De Vie Estate, which is surrounded by cascading vineyards and mountains in the Paarl-Franschhoek valley, one can’t help but get tickled by the sheer opulence of just being in a certain space; let alone the champagne flowing.

Thanks to Lucy Kenny of Madison Avenue and Anina Malherbe of Vivid Luxury, I got to experience the Masters Polo this year as an invited VIP guest. To show my respects, I tasked the emerging young designer, Mzukisi Mbane of Imprint ZA, to put together a stunning ensemble to ensure my presence is impressive and leaves no one regretting having invited me.

This year’s event was much larger than anticipated, with tickets selling out in advance, a new picnic area located on the far side of the hospitality area and with none other than, Shimmy Beach Club hosting the official Polo after party at Val De Vie Estate. I mean things were serious this year. Swiss bank, Julius Bär was an event partner, along with Jenni Button/Hilton Weiner and Bentley Motors SA as an Associate Sponsor, ensuring VIP guests arrive it utter splendor. Hopefully I’ll get to arrive in one of those next year.

This being a Polo sport event, I made sure I got a glimpse of the matches for the day. Don’t ask me any scores. I do know Shimmy Beach Club won the first game played against Team Nigus; with team Veuve Clicquot accepting defeat against team Julius Bär. I never realized just how beguiling Polo can be. I’m utterly in-love and will make sure I follow the sport. It also helps when you watch the sport with people who understand it, so you are explained to what consequences certain actions have for players, the team and the match.

What’s a day of champagne and Polo without some gorgeously dressed people, like Siv Ngesi, who happened to win Best Dressed Male at the event? I also got the opportunity to host two interviews on behalf of FTV, one with Veuve Clicquot Brand Manager, Aimee Kellen, and the other with Founder and CEO of Vivid Luxury, Anina Malherbe. From the interviews, it was evident that the Veuve Clicquot Masters Polo was only going to get bigger and better. And I’m definitely looking forward to the next installment in 2016. Already have some outfit ideas as is.