A disco dream: Inside the Albani’s celebration of love
A whirlwind of sequins, fringe, and glamour permeated the air at the Salon de Ning, The Peninsula Manila last week in celebration of Camila Lhuillier-Albani and Andrea Albani. Camila (daughter of Ambassador to Spain Phillipe Jones and Mrs. Edna Lhuillier) and her husband Andrea celebrated five happy years of marriage in a lavish yet intimate gathering of close friends and family.
The couple, who married back in 2022 in La Posta Vecchia Hotel in Ladispoli, Rome, threw a Disco Paradiso-themed party for their nearest and dearest with some special surprises thrown into the mix.
The inspiration? Studio 54 meets Italian Riviera, a nod to Andrea’s Italian nationality and Camila’s love of glamorous parties. And everyone got the memo.
Disco and dolce vita
Entering Salon de Ning that evening felt like being in a time machine of Manila’s best dressed disco divas—with Lhuillier-Albani leading the way in a bell-sleeved, fully sequined gown by her favorite local designer Mark Bumgarner, complemented perfectly by her husband in a custom robe suit in a distinctly Italian style by Jaz Cerezo.
The celebration was filled with thoughtful touches, as Lhuillier-Albani, an experienced hostess known for her attention to detail, is wont to do. From custom flower arrangements to a champagne tower, cake table, and party giveaways (including Spanish-style fans for dancing and tiny bottles of aperol cocktails), no stone was left unturned.
“Hosting a party is 70 percent preparation and 30 percent who you invite over. I try as much as possible to host parties that bring people closer,” Lhuillier-Albani says. And with her entertainment of choice, it’s no wonder everyone found their way to the dance floor.
The highlight of the party was the presence of Italian band Smoma—flown in from San Marino, Italy (fun fact: it’s one of the smallest countries in the world, and also where Albani is from)—and an obvious choice for the couple. The five-piece band, who played at Camila and Andrea’s wedding in Rome back in 2022 and also at Amb. Philipe’s 80th birthday celebration, kept the party going all night with live sax, trumpet, keys, and a long repertoire of disco favorites.
Smoma kept the crowd dancing all night in celebration of love and the couple’s happy years together, with many more to come.
As told by the hostess with the mostess
Lhuillier-Albani shares the five important things she wants guests to experience whenever she hosts parties:
Inclusion: “I want everyone to feel like they were part of the process and were part of my thoughts when I crafted the party. I want everyone to feel like I made the party just for them.”
Joy!: “I want everyone to feel immense joy as that’s what a party is all about.”
The right invitations: “Hosting a party is 70 percent preparation and 30 percent who you invite over. I try as much as possible to host parties that bring people closer.”
Seventy percent preparation: “From the flowers to the drinks, the food, and even the merch, every piece has been touched by me to ensure a seamless celebration.”
The bond of love: “Another point on who I’m inviting: people that have love for each other, love for the music, love for the dancing. Life is too short not to fall in love with everything you do and touch.”
