All that glittered was gold at this champagne-filled celebration

I want Darkhorse to throw me a birthday party. 

A grandiose statement, yes, but they seem to throw the best damn parties in Auckland, that I know it would be a hit. 

And I’d want that party to be equally as glamorous as Thursday’s Moët Gold Party, which transformed Auckland’s Clooney restaurant into a red carpet affair, complete with gilt greenery photo back drops, an ivy-covered swing, gold body-painted models proferring illuminated Magnums of Moët & Chandon, and the ever-popular Moët bathtub. 

It’s as if Midas himself walked into Clooney and touched everything within reach. 

The party served dual purpose, to honor five notable Kiwis, but also as a last ‘hurrah!’ before Clooney closes its doors for good in the New Year. Quite the send off, really, complete with Jupiter Project spinning tunes until the wee hours, larger-than-life gold confetti guns firing, and gigantic champagne towers decorating the luxe event space.

And while the champagne flowed, Auckland’s finest raised their goblets to toast the five inspirational Kiwis who were honoured at the glamorous soiree.

Awarded to those who demonstrated a spirit of grandeur and generosity throughout 2017, this years honorees included young fashion designer Maggie Marilyn Hewitt, Designer Wardrobe entrepreneur duos Donielle Brooke and Aidan Bartlett, Olympic athlete and Black Stick Rose Keddell, and Clooney Club’s Michael Goudie. 

New for 2017, the luxury champagne label announced they will be partnering with the Ākina Foundation to invest into the next generation of young entrepreneurs. 

Moët & Chandon Senior Brand Manager, Ali Campbell, says all five honorees have made waves both in New Zealand and overseas. “Moët & Chandon was delighted to celebrate and recognise five successful Moët Gold honorees who are living their lives with unprecedented grandeur and generosity across different industries.”

At only 23, Maggie Marilyn has made a name for herself in the fashion world. After launching three seasons in the past 12 months, the notable millennial-centric designer is stocked internationally at Saks, Nieman Marcus and on Net-A-Porter online. 

Donielle Brooke raised a whopping $1.7M from investors, and went on to launch her first rental store front. 

After smashing goals at the Olympics in Rio De Janiero, Rose juggles her commitments with the New Zealand Black Sticks with her university studies. 

A regular on Auckland’s social scene, Michael Goudie’s Clooney Club range of haircare for men has gone from strength to strength. 

While, handpicking five honorees to celebrate at the party of the year is not new for Moët & Chandon, but partnering with a charitable trust is. 

The Ākina Foundation is a New Zealand organisation which focuses on growing social enterprise by supporting the ventures of young entrepreneurs. Each of the five honorees has donated bespoke items which will be auctioned off on TradeMe, and all proceeds going to The Ākina Foundation. 

These bespoke items include an outfit from Maggie Marilyn, a VIP subscription to designer wardrobe, a signed 2017 Black Sticks Jersey, one-on-one training session with Rose Keddell and an exclusive year subscription to Clooney Club.

But, you’d better hurry, the TradeMe auction closes on December 10.