Microsoft has confirmed ongoing issues with Microsoft Forms, marking another outage affecting Microsoft 365 services. The company is actively working on a solution, though the official service health dashboard hasn’t been updated yet.
The company acknowledged the disruption through its official Microsoft 365 Status X account, instructing users to monitor progress via the Microsoft 365 Admin Center with issue ID “FM1109073”. Despite the confirmed problems, Microsoft’s official 365 Service Health Status website continues to display “everything up and running”. Granted, it’s a discrepancy likely to be addressed as the situation evolves.
European impact confirmed
Reports indicate the outage is affecting multiple European countries, including Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands. This geographic spread suggests the issue may have either a Europe-wide focus or potentially global reach. Microsoft has yet to clarify the exact scope of affected regions.
Growing pattern of service disruptions
This latest outage adds to a concerning pattern of Microsoft service disruptions in recent months. In January, Microsoft’s MFA system experienced problems that prevented users from accessing various Microsoft 365 applications. More recently, Microsoft Teams suffered a file sharing outage, disrupting collaborative work for many organizations.
The frequency of these incidents has raised questions about the reliability of Microsoft’s cloud services, even as individual system availability remains high. Organizations relying on Microsoft 365 for daily operations continue to face periodic disruptions that can significantly impact productivity.
Microsoft Forms functionality
Microsoft Forms serves as an online survey and quiz builder within the Microsoft 365 ecosystem. The platform enables users to create polls, questionnaires, and feedback forms with customizable themes. Data collected through Forms can be analyzed in Excel and shared across Teams and SharePoint, making it a valuable tool for organizational communication and data collection.
The service’s integration with other Microsoft 365 tools makes outages particularly disruptive for organizations that rely on Forms for regular business processes, including employee surveys, customer feedback collection, and training assessments.
Microsoft has not yet provided specific workarounds for the current Forms outage, though the company typically advises users to monitor the Admin Center for real-time updates and resolution timelines.
Chemistry came alive in a reimagined form at the 75th Yusuf Hamied Chemistry Camp for Visually Challenged Students, hosted at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Bombay.
Whether it’s the vibrant red and green flames of strontium and barium salts during a flame test or the striking ‘golden rain’ formed by the reaction between lead nitrate and potassium iodide, the visual drama of chemical reactions is often what captivates students. The very spectacle that makes chemistry so appealing can also become a significant barrier, shutting visually impaired students out of the full experience while leaving educators grappling with how to make the subject accessible to everyone.
Guided by the belief that chemistry is for everyone, this inclusive education project set out to go beyond the usual high school chemistry experiments. The team redesigned the experiments to engage touch, smell and sound. The result was a rich, multi-sensory experience that allowed 59 visually impaired students from schools in Mumbai, Nasik, Pune and Solapur to explore the wonders of chemistry.
The initiative was supported by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) and Yusuf Hamied, chairman of Cipla.
The camp introduced a new handbook featuring six hands-on experiments developed by Chandramouli Subramanian of IIT Bombay, which were translated into braille. Students were divided into small groups, and each experiment was run by a volunteer from the institute, enabling the students to carry out the activities independently.
‘Science must be accessible to all,’ said Swetavalli Raghavan, head of innovation strategy and government affairs at the RSC. ‘This initiative helps break the myth that chemistry is a visual science. With the right tools and teaching methods, we can open up the world of scientific inquiry to every learner, regardless of ability.’
When light becomes sound
Tactile chemistry kits, featuring textured materials, raised diagrams and braille labels, have helped make science more accessible for students with visual impairments. But Subramaniam pointed out that these kits can be costly for schools. Therefore, his team focused on adapting experiments usually included in the school curriculum.
A school science fair classic, the potato battery experiment shows how a vegetable can power a small electronic device. By inserting two different metals, typically zinc and copper, into a potato, students create a simple electrochemical cell that generates a small voltage that can power low-energy devices, such as LEDs. The team simply replaced the LED with a buzzer.
In designing the activity, the team also aimed to give students a broader understanding of energy conversion. As Subramaniam explained, the experiment became a starting point for a larger conversation – tracing how plants absorb solar energy through photosynthesis, store it as chemical energy in the form of sugars, and how that same energy, now held in a potato or lemon, can be released and transformed into sound through a simple electrochemical reaction.
Experiments involving heat were handled with extra care. These included an esterification, where a carboxylic acid and an alcohol reacted in the presence of an acid catalyst to yield a fruity-scented ester when heated in an oil bath. Unlike other activities where students did most of the work themselves this step required hands-on support from the volunteers.
In addition to pre-measuring the chemicals and carefully supervising each step. ‘One great thing that [the] professor suggested was to put on blindfolds and do your experiments one or two times, so that you’re sensitised to their experiences,’ says Devashish Bhave, a volunteer at the camp. ‘We even tried each other’s experiments with blindfolds on to check if our instructions were clear enough.’ He highlighted that this exercise was a powerful reminder that what might seem simple or obvious with sight becomes much more complex without it.
‘Doing the experiment 72 times might sound repetitive, even boring, but it was one of the best experiences I’ve had in a lab,’ adds Devashish. ‘Each time a student dropped Mentos into the [fizzy drink] bottle and sealed it with the balloon-fitted cap, the balloon began to expand as gas was released. I would ask them to feel the balloon becoming bigger. The joy and excitement that they had on their faces made every single time worth it.’
In conversations with volunteers, several students shared that they had arrived at the camp feeling hesitant, even afraid of the lab, due to past experiences. However, by the end, they felt hopeful about pursuing a career in science.
‘We have chemistry as a subject in school, but the experiments in the syllabus were always taught verbally, we never had the chance to do them ourselves,’ says Saee, one of the workshop participants. ‘This was the first time I experienced chemistry hands-on, and it gave me the confidence to know I’m capable of doing these experiments. Now, I’m excited to explore even more.’
Summer beckons with opportunities for travel, socialising, and sunshine.
But these months can be the ideal conditions for fostering the spread of viruses and bacterial infections.
Prioritising health during these warmer months is crucial.
After all, a positive Covid test or a severe case of food poisoning can swiftly derail holiday plans.
To ensure a healthy and enjoyable sunny season, experts have compiled eight essential tips to help you steer clear of illness.
A positive Covid test can swiftly derail holiday plans
1. Stay hydrated and cool
“Heat-related illnesses are more common than many people realise during the summer, especially when temperatures climb or humidity is high,” says Dr Chun Tang, GP at Pall Mall Medical. “The best line of defence really is prevention, so keep hydrated, wear light, breathable clothing, and avoid strenuous activity during the hottest parts of the day, typically between 11am and 3pm.
“If you start to feel unwell, stop, find somewhere cool to rest, sip water, and use a damp cloth to cool your skin. If symptoms worsen, particularly if you stop sweating or feel confused, don’t delay seeking medical attention.”
2. Stick to cooked foods and bottled water
Summer is prime time for foodborne illness.
“Warm weather and outdoor meals, picnics, barbecues, street food, create ideal conditions for bacteria like salmonella, E. coli, and listeria, especially when food isn’t cooked properly or stored safely,” warns Tang. “To reduce the risk, keep perishable foods cold in a cooler or fridge right up until serving.
“Cook meats thoroughly and don’t leave food out for more than an hour or two in the heat.”
Dr Ireny Salama, GP and aesthetic doctor at London-based wellness and longevity clinic The HVN, agrees and adds: “It’s often the “fresh” things like ice cubes and salads that cause trouble abroad. Stick to bottled water and cooked dishes when you’re unsure about local hygiene standards.”
3. Keep up to date with vaccinations
Summer holidays can increase the risk of exposure to viruses
“While COVID-19 doesn’t follow seasonal patterns like the flu, summer holidays and gatherings can increase the risk of exposure, particularly in crowded indoor spaces,” highlights Tang.
“New variants continue to emerge, and immunity from previous infection or vaccination may decrease over time. Keeping up to date with vaccinations, including any boosters, remains one of the most effective ways to protect yourself from Covid.”
4. Build a summer wellness travel kit
“Four essentials: a foldable fan, rehydration sachets, a cooling mist and hand sanitiser, are simple but surprisingly powerful when you need them,” says Salama.
5. Practice good hand hygiene
Practice good hand hygiene before eating
COVID-19, food poisoning and gastroenteritis can often be avoided by maintaining proper hand hygiene.
“Practice good hand hygiene before eating,” advises Tang. “Alcohol hand gels are helpful, but soap and water is your best bet when available.”
6. Protect yourself from mosquito-borne illnesses
Mosquito-borne diseases continue to pose a significant risk in tropical and subtropical regions.
“Dengue fever, Zika virus, and malaria are all transmitted via mosquito bites, and with climate change, we’re seeing these illnesses in new regions too,” says Tang. “Protection is key. Use an insect repellent with DEET, sleep under mosquito nets where appropriate, and wear long sleeves and trousers, especially around dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.
“If you’re travelling to a high-risk region, speak with your doctor well in advance about any recommended vaccines or antimalarial medication.”
7. Regularly reapply sunscreen
Even mild sunburn can lead to harm over the years
Don’t let your desire for a sun-kissed tan compromise your health.“Sunburn might feel like a short-term nuisance, but over time, repeated exposure to UV radiation can lead to serious skin damage and significantly raise the risk of skin cancer, including melanoma,” warns Tang. “Even mild burns accumulate harm over the years.“To protect your skin, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF30 or above) generously, and reapply every two hours, more often if swimming or sweating. If you do get sun burnt, cool the skin with damp cloths or a cool bath, use moisturiser (aloe vera or unscented creams can help), and drink plenty of water.”
8. Adjust sleep schedule ahead of a long-haul flight
Adjusting your sleep schedule several days before your trip will help you start your holiday feeling refreshed and energised.“Long-haul travel can disrupt your internal body clock, causing sleep disturbances, digestive issues and general fatigue,” says Tang. “Travelling east tends to make symptoms worse, and it can take a few days to feel back to normal.“To reduce the impact of jet lag, try adjusting your sleep schedule a few days before travel. Once you arrive, get outside during daylight hours to help reset your rhythm.”
Summer’s here, meaning it’s time to get outside with your best Bluetooth speaker and soak up the sunshine. What’s that? You don’t have a Bluetooth speaker? Well, maybe we can fix that.
The five-star Bose SoundLink Max was one of our favourite portable speakers of 2024, a supremely entertaining portable unit with the sonic chops to give the JBL Xtreme 4 a run for its money. We saw the Max this far at the start of the year, and it’s fallen once again to its joint-lowest price of just £299 at Currys and other retailers.
Best Bose Bluetooth speaker deal
We wouldn’t blame you if the Bose SoundLink Max caught your eye last year, as it certainly caught ours. The speaker comes from decent stock, and when you add in its striking ‘Max’ monicker, impressive spec sheet and robust design, we can see why your eyes might be lighting up.
We loved the SoundLink Max when we tested it last summer, praising its entertaining, full-bodied sound that melds a meaty, weighty sonic foundation with a zippy, enthusiastic zest. For delivering fun and force from a decently sized unit, the Bose easily earns its five-star plaudits.
It’s a well-rounded performer in other regards, too. The burly speaker’s battery life clocks in at a claimed 20 hours, though you might find that this varies slightly depending on how you use it, while an IP67 rating means the SoundLink Max is water and dust-proof.
This is a speaker that doesn’t cut too many corners, with aptX Adaptive Bluetooth codec support and Google Fast Pair (for Android users) only sweetening the deal.
What’s most impressive about this discount is how low the Bose has fallen, and to see it plummet by £100 is a serious matter. Check it out at Currys and beat the Prime Day crowds.
MORE:
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McGill University’s spinout TissueTinker is exploring a new bioprinting approach that could improve the way cancer drugs are tested in preclinical settings.
Co-founded by Benjamin Ringler, Madison Santos, and Isabelle Dummer, the startup recently received a Develop award from the McGill Innovation Fund (MIF) to advance its miniature tumor model platform.
Designed as a human-relevant alternative to 2D cultures and animal testing, the miniature models aim to reduce the 90% failure rate of cancer drugs after preclinical testing by better capturing tumor complexity and improving predictability early on.
“Because the testing environment more readily simulates the human body, researchers can better assess and understand whether or not their drug works before reaching clinical trial stages,” Ringler detailed. “This is key for drug progression and curbing financial waste in the industry.”
McGill Innovation Fund team TissueTinker is reimagining how we test cancer therapies with customizable, human-relevant bioprinted tumor models that replicate human tissue. Photo via McGill University.
Miniature models offer customization edge
TissueTinker’s platform centers on bioprinting tumor models at a scale of around 300 µm, a size the team considers optimal for balancing biological relevance with resource efficiency.
Using bioink made from living cells, the models are constructed to include both healthy and cancerous tissue types, positioned with spatial precision. This structure enables the replication of key physiological features, such as hypoxic cores, that influence how tumors grow and respond to treatment.
The platform’s design allows researchers to adjust both the structure and cell composition of each tumor model, depending on the specific biological question being studied. This adaptability makes it possible to replicate a wide range of tumor conditions, offering more targeted insights into how treatments behave under different physiological scenarios.
This approach gains added relevance under updated US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines, which now allow drug developers to use human-based models in place of animal testing during preclinical research. By offering a method that reflects the complexity of human tumours more accurately, TissueTinker provides a practical option within this shifting regulatory landscape.
Backed by support from the MIF, the team has refined both the technical and strategic dimensions of the platform. In addition to funding, the program provided mentorship that helped the founders focus on long-term development. They are now working to expand their tumor model library and plan to license the platform to pharmaceutical companies and research institutions.
Rethinking drug testing with bioprinted tumors
With cancer responsible for 10 million deaths in 2020 and cases expected to surpass 28 million by 2040 as referenced by McGill, many are seeking more efficient approaches to drug development.
Previously, Edinburgh-based tumor 3D printing specialist Carcinotech and bioprinting firm CELLINK partnered to advance cancer drug development by creating standardized protocols for bioprinted tumor models built from cancer cell lines. These models were designed to replicate the physiological makeup of specific cancer types, incorporating five key cell types in accurate ratios to improve testing relevance.
CELLINK BIO CELLX 3D biodispenser. Photo via CELLINK.
Developed for use with CELLINK’s BIO CELLX system, the protocols were expected to enable automated and reproducible 3D cell culture workflows, streamlining drug screening processes. The partnership built on earlier work combining Carcinotech’s expertise in tumor modeling with CELLINK’s bioinks and bioprinting technology to enhance precision in preclinical research.
In 2021, researchers at the University of Stuttgart and Robert Bosch Hospital developed a 3D printed tissue platform designed to improve cancer drug testing while reducing the need for animal experiments.
As part of a €3.8 million initiative funded by the state of Baden-Württemberg, the team used bioprinting and simulation data to create skin-like microfluidic structures that more closely mimic tumor behavior in the human body. Their approach combined ex-vivo, de-novo, and in-silico strategies, producing modular, nutrient-loaded cell structures that can be assembled like “lego bricks” to simulate realistic tumors and better predict drug distribution outcomes.
What 3D printing trends should you watch out for in 2025?
How is the future of 3D printing shaping up?
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Featured image shows McGill Innovation Fund team TissueTinker is reimagining how we test cancer therapies with customizable, human-relevant bioprinted tumor models that replicate human tissue. Photo via McGill University.
LAHORE – The Honda CG 125 Self Start has gained significant popularity in Pakistan owing to its reliability, performance, and convenience.
Launched by Atlas Honda, this variant builds on the classic CG 125 design but offers the added benefit of a self-start system, eliminating the need for a kick start and making it easier to use, especially in traffic or for new riders.
Powered by a 125cc 4-stroke air-cooled engine, the Honda CG 125 Self Start delivers strong acceleration and fuel efficiency. Its five-speed transmission ensures smooth gear shifting, and the engine is designed for durability on rough roads, a key factor for daily commuting in Pakistan.
The bike features a modern speedometer, stylish fuel tank with sleek graphics, and a comfortable seat suitable for long rides. Front and rear drum brakes provide decent stopping power, while the strong suspension system ensures a smoother ride on bumpy roads.
In Pakistan, the Honda CG 125 Self Start is favored by riders for its balance between performance and economy.
With good resale value and easy availability of spare parts, it continues to be a top choice for those seeking a dependable two-wheeler for both urban and rural travel.
Honda CG 125 Self Start New Price
Following the imposition of the climate tax on petrol vehicles, the price of Honda CG 125 Self Start has seen an increase of Rs4,000.
The new price of CG 125 Self Start has surged to Rs286,900, starting from July 2025.
The Fund Finance Association (FFA) hosted a global market update on 25 June, 2025 via a virtual seminar. The event’s panelists spanned from different parts of the globe ranging from political risk advisors, trade associations, asset managers, finance and fund formation lawyers, financial institutions and leading banks. Each of the panelists, experts in their respective fields, shared their observations and key market trends for their regions and practices. Below is a summary of the key takeaways from the update.
Global trade war and ongoing conflicts
US Trade Tariff
The general sentiment with respect to President Trump’s administration policies is that they are unpredictable and it would not be useful to try and anticipate his next move. The panelists, however, were of the view that there may be a clear agenda behind the global tariffs – which is to achieve three outcomes: i) revenue generation ii) extracting concessions from counterparties and iii) reshoring for national security reasons and creating jobs. In spite of this, the participants noted that trade momentum should pick up as certain countries will want to become allies of the US and benefit from US trade.
In view of the impending July 8 deadline, it is predicted that there are two options for the administration, rolling over the deadline or reverting to higher tariffs initially imposed on trade partners if President Trump doesn’t get the concessions he wants. The participants are expecting the latter of the two.
Israel and Iran
On the Israel and Iran conflict, panelists were of the view that the fundamental incentives for ceasefire do not make sense which is that Iran is on its knees militarily and Israel has the upper hand. Iran is unlikely to accept a diplomatic offer as it has rejected the previous two offers and may even potentially rebuild its nuclear programme which would result in Israel retaliating. The participants therefore do not think a ceasefire is likely for the next couple of weeks and if Israel hits back at Iran, there will be consequences for markets.
Russia and Ukraine
Moving on to the ongoing conflict of Russia and Ukraine, panelists were of the view that this war will not end any time soon given both sides are too evenly matched militarily and politically for one side to give up. In the context of short-term market movements, it is more useful to predict next steps by following patterned behaviour of President Putin in which he tends to offer small concessions before a big move in order to cushion the blow.
Focus areas of the US securities and trade market
According to the panelists, there is a big focus on the section 899 tax bill for the US securities and trade market, particularly, the lack of desire for it. The other area of strong focus is on the US approach to the bank capital rules and the market impact of the Basel III Endgame. Another key area the securities market is focused on, is increasing retail and brokerage access to qualified and non-qualified accounts, and back-office operations of private market products. There has also been a shift towards prototypes using blockchain technology on tokenized securities however with the backdrop of these new crypto taskforces, panelists noted that it is paramount to observe how these new groups will interact with the traditional securities market and what rules will apply to regulated entities.
Investment in the Insurance Sector
Panelists from the insurance industry noted that even during times of volatility, insurance portfolios (given they are investment grade), have stood the test of time. Insurance companies have internal investment teams, therefore in the context of recent events (i.e., trade tariffs and political uncertainty), the strategic allocation remains unchanged because they are set over long periods of time. In general, insurers may hold off on long term allocation and pivot into public asset opportunities during periods of volatility to explore some interim liquidity so the insurance market is typically unaffected by geo-political factors.
Participants further commented that fund financing is favoured by insurance companies noting that it is capital efficient, which works well for balance sheets from an insurance perspective and as such, there is always an appetite for it.
Investment and fundraising predictions in Asia
Asia fundraising
Panelists have observed that fund-raising from a global perspective has been stagnant, but fund sizes have been growing so a consequence of this is that raising funds for small players has become more difficult. In the Asian context, panelists noted that smaller or domestic GPs have struggled to fill their books or pull in anchor investors and, in Asia, fund raising is smaller in proportion to US or Europe counterparts, resulting in smaller deal sizes. One reason for this outlook is the impact of exchange rates. In reality, these Asian funds can raise more money, but they look flat on a dollar basis. The participants also noted they are seeing some allocations shifting to Asia as a response to the tariffs, with domestic trading in the RMB market remaining active, showing signs of renewed activity in China, and that the sectors that stand out for fundraising are credit and infrastructure.
In the Singapore context, another key trend is credit funds being raised in Japan due to the end of negative interest rates and deployment of funds in Japan. There has also been a real uptake in the Japan real estate space, by virtue of LPs wanting to diversify so Asia is set to benefit from this.
Participants are also seeing a surge in family offices providing financing because given their geo-political arbitrage strategy, they are able to write larger cheques and deploy funds.
Predictions on India
The fund finance industry in India to date did not exist because of the restrictions on onshore funds incurring debt, but GIFT City not being subject to these restrictions, will open the doors to opportunities and so, panelists predict an increase in activity in India.
Trends from a Lender’s Lens
With the backdrop of muted fund-raising activities, distributed-in-paid capital or DPI has become the focus for GPs and LPs. Some panelists are seeing several LPs testing the market with multiple large secondary portfolio transactions, but lenders are looking to continuation vehicles for LP capital returns. There are also signs of a pivot to the private credit and fund of funds space recently, with hybrid and private credit as well as ABL facilities being used as a tool for sponsors to secure liquidity.
A key trend across the lending market during this period of uncertainty is maintaining open communication with clients with one participant noting that open communication with GPs is important to understand how geo-political and macroeconomic factors affect their business and managing through periods of uncertainty. Another participant noted that in times of volatility, aside from portfolio monitoring and tracking of fund performance, it is important for lenders to listen to their clients to assess their needs with continued frequent dialogue, as well as coming up with creative solutions and adapting to keep servicing key clients.
Other key observations were the use of placement agents becoming more prevalent in the Singapore market in the middle or smaller sized funds. For the larger funds, the preference is for smaller and condensed lending groups with more experience with these types of financing so they can issue capital calls on demand. NAV and hybrid financings are also becoming increasingly popular with more mature players in the Hong Kong market, with the use of proceeds for distribution purposes. Australia is another market that is seeing healthy fund raising, with pension funds surpassing 8 million in assets under management.
The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) continued its bullish trend on Friday, with the benchmark KSE-100 index gaining 489.75 points, current index at 131,176.40 — an increase of 0.37% during intra-day trading.
The index reached an intraday high of 131,411.40 and a low of 130,716.10 during the trading session.
Trading volume stood at 73.6 million shares, with a total value of over Rs 7.7 billion, reflecting sustained buying activity across various sectors.
Friday’s session followed a similar bullish trend seen the previous day, when the index closed at 130,686.65.
Earlier on Thursday, KSE-100 index extended its upward trajectory to close at a new all-time high with addition of 342.63 points.
Read: Stocks continue bull-run, reach fresh peak
The rally was led by index-heavy sectors, particularly oil and gas, banking and power. However, overall trading remained mixed.
Among major triggers, Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves jumped $5.1b to $14.5b by the end of FY25.
“Stocks closed higher at a new all-time high after the government slashed NSS (National Savings Scheme) rates, which will push investors towards equities, and the State Bank’s forex reserves hit $14.5b,” said Arif Habib Corp MD Ahsan Mehanti.
Arif Habib Limited (AHL) reported that the KSE-100 index experienced two-way volatility around the 130,000 level but it managed to hold the key level at close.
Some 53 shares advanced while 46 declined. Major contributors to the index gains were Oil and Gas Development Company (+2.77%), UBL (+1.32%) and Hub Power (+2.26%).
On the flip side, the biggest laggards were Bank AL Habib (-4.14%), MCB Bank (-2.46%) and Meezan Bank (-1.6%), it said.
WorldCall Telecom was the volume leader with trading in 49.5m shares, falling Rs0.02 to close at Rs1.59.
It was followed by Image Pakistan with 36.7m shares, rising Rs2.87 to close at Rs32.47 and The Bank of Punjab with 35.1m shares, losing Rs0.02 to close at Rs11.52.
Foreign investors sold shares worth Rs909m, the National Clearing Company reported.
Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.
High in the hills of Los Angeles’ Highland Park neighbourhood, Flamingo Estate’s seven-acre garden is in full bloom. “LA is always beautiful, but right now we are spoiled,” says Richard Christiansen of the recent spell of good weather, which has summoned irises, begonias, roses and camellias. The Australian-born entrepreneur and author lives here with his partner, the company’s head of creative Aaron Harvey. Together they run operations for Flamingo Estate’s eponymous lifestyle brand, known for its colourful soaps, candles and organic farm boxes.
Each season, the couple throw a party at which they spotlight a Flamingo scent. Tonight’s solstice cookout is based around its bestselling candle, Roma Heirloom Tomato. “The house and garden are purpose-built to get Alice down the rabbit hole,” says Christiansen, who has arranged for each course to be served in a different area. “I love the idea of guests moving from space to space to animate the experience. It’s necessary for people to collide.”
The rosé is supposed to be the same colour as underneath a flamingo’s wing
Tonight’s guest list is a glamorous mix of creatives, including actress Laura Harrier, music executive Larry Jackson and stylist Djuna Bel. All are greeted by handsome waiters in custom uniforms as trays of playful appetisers (potato doughnuts and mini quiche tartlets, both with edible flowers on them) circulate. From there the party meanders through the green-striped living room to a citrus orchard at the end of the garden, where grill expert Burt Bakman has been smoking local bounty over an open fire. “It’s a bit of theatre,” says Christiansen. “We love to eat with our eyes, but also our ears; it’s nice for guests to hear the fire.”
Australian chef and food stylist Sandy Ho serves lobster noodles and green curried ribeyes with smoked mushrooms, onions, pineapple and asparagus in the garden pavilion, a space lined with explosive-pink rose trees. The table is dressed with mismatched crystal glasses, filled with the Estate’s own Pink Moon Rosé, which is no longer available to buy but is brought out on very special occasions from Christiansen’s secret batch. Says Christiansen of the vintage: “It’s supposed to be the same colour as underneath a flamingo’s wing.”
Dessert, a giant pink pavlova covered with berries, takes the group back up to the house to be enjoyed with a playlist of jazz and R&B classics (a “gift” to Harvey from 13-time Grammy winner John Legend). “Hospitality is about intimacy and effort,” says Christiansen. “It’s also a two-way street. You have to show up for the person who is cooking and serving, and they have to show up for you.”
Send us your summer party photos at htsisubmissions@ft.com and we’ll republish the highlights later this summer…
