“One connection between Macau and Italy, the word ‘casino’, is an Italian word that originally meant ‘little house’,” said Dr Ambrose So, Chairman of the Board of Directors of SJM. “Because people love to gather in a little house to have fun, it finally became an pronoun of casinos around the world.”
(Left to right): Ms Charmaine Sheh, Mr Louis Ng, Ms Angela Leong, Dr Ambrose So and Ms Wang Bing Bing with the armchair after the auction
At the “Macau and Italy: A 500-year Relationship Charity Auction and Dinner” hosted by Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, S.A. (“SJM”) held at Grand Lisboa, Macau on 12 December, a total of MOP$4.54 million was raised by a charity auction of eight luxury items from Italy, with the full amount donated to 10 Macau charities.
The high point of the evening was the auction of a Versace Stud Club armchair. The armchair was entirely produced by hand by The Haas Brothers for Versace Home, and was specially selected by Ms Donatella Versace in support of SJM’s charity dinner. After intense bidding, SJM, represented by its directors Dr So, Ms Angela Leong and Mr Louis Ng, was the successful bidder for this item at MOP$2.5 million.
Other auction items of famous Italian luxury brands, which had been organized with the help of the Italian Consulate General, comprised a Roberto Cavalli “Florence” bag, two pairs of Salvatore Ferragamo made-to-order shoes, an Ermenegildo Zegna made-to-measure suit, and the following fine wines: Gaja Cru Barbaresco Sorì San Lorenzo 1990 (3L), Gaja Cru Barbaresco Sorì Tildin 1990 (3L), Gaja Sperss Cru Barolo 1988 (3L) and Gaja Sperss Cru Barolo 1988 (5L).
In addition, it is worth mentioning that SJM is preparing for the construction of Macau’s first fashion-themed hotel, the Palazzo Versace Macau in Cotai. Macau and Italy — this relationship will continue on in its own diverse way.
