What is it that makes the James Bond films so alluring? Is it the exotic locations, the cool cars, and the exciting stunts? Is it the rousing music, the stylish clothes, the champagne and the vodka martinis? Or is it the beautiful, glamorous women? Perhaps it's the heady cocktail of all of these things that make the Bond films so appealing. If that is the case, then the "Bond Girls Are Forever" charity event in Oslo had all the makings of a real life Bond film.
The spectacular event, organised by film journalist and James Bond aficionado Morten Steingrimsen and Lene C. Christiansen of Worldeye AS, took place on Thursday the 20th of August in Norway's stunning capital.
Seven former Bond Girls, spanning 50 years of the James Bond films, were in attendance, including the ever glamorous Luciana Paluzzi and Martine Beswick from "Thunderball" and the legendary Britt Ekland, from "The Man With The Golden Gun". Timothy Dalton's leading ladies Maryam d'Abo from "The Living Daylights" and Carey Lowell, from "Licence To Kill" were also in attendance, whilst Carole Ashby from "Octopussy" and "A View To A Kill", and Tonia Sotiropoulou, from "Skyfall" completed the glamorous line up. This was the first time that these seven Bond Girls had been brought together at one event.
Event partners also had their Bond connections, including British car manufacturer Bentley (Bond's choice of car in the Ian Fleming novels) and Breitling (who supplied Bond's Top Time and Major Durval's Navitimer for "Thunderball"), whilst other sponsors included Nordisk Film, L'Oreal, Apanage, NetJets, Emirates, Clinicare, and many more.
Guests were transported by Bærum Limousine's luxurious cars to Kino Victoria, a luxury cinema and event space, where they were treated to food prepared by Dag Tjersland, one of Oslo's top chefs and owner of Skur 3 and Baltazar, whilst expert bartenders from the Verité Cocktail Lounge mixed the drinks, including 007's signature Vesper, as well as serving up Belvedere Vodka Martinis, champagne, and Heineken.
Luciana Paluzzi arrived in typical Bondian style, driving the exact same model of Ford Mustang she had driven in "Thunderball".
After a photo call, guests were ushered into the cinema for a special screening of "Thunderball", the international premiere of the digital 4k version.
However, before the film commenced, it was time to get down to the real business of why they were all there: The charity auction.
"Bond Girls Are Forever" was in aid of UNICEF, which itself has its ties to the James Bond franchise. Sir Roger Moore, who has long been an ambassador for UNICEF and gained his knighthood for his humanitarian work with the organisation, introduced the auction via a video message, saying "I'm sorry that I can't be there in person, especially as there are so many lovely ladies from the some of the Bond films that I was was not asked to be in, but, you see, my wife is jealous. After all, she is Swedish. Anyway, that's not the point of this evening. The point of this evening is to raise funds for our wonderful organisation and to create awareness for the plight of the world's children. So, I'm going to ask you to dig very deeply into your pockets tonight...and bid most generously for some of the wonderful auction prizes...thank you.".
The former 007 is a passionate advocate for children's rights, so it seemed only fitting and right that the proceeds should benefit UNICEF, the world's largest humanitarian organisation for children.
Amongst the prizes on offer at the auction were a flight in a private jet to Monaco to see the Grand Prix, courtesy of NetJets, the latest edition Breitling Navitimer, and the use of a brand new Bentley GT for the weekend. Also under the gavel was an exclusive weekend away at a vineyard retreat, as well as a ready-to-wear conduit cut suit by Bond's original tailor, Anthony Sinclair, and an experience money can't buy, a flight in a jet with Breitling's aerobatic team.
After the film, guests continued to enjoy themselves, whilst a live big band played hits from the James Bond franchise.
The partying continued into the small hours of the morning at the Hotel Continental.
The event was a true success and a fabulous opportunity to get to meet seven of the former Bond Girls in one incredible location, whilst also giving to a worthy cause.
All photos © Markus Hartmann unless otherwise stated.
