Party Queen

FANTY SOENARDY loves big jewellery, fast cars and killer dresses, and she knows exactly how to throw the party of the year - every year. Here's how she swings it.

- JENNIFER CHEN

THROWING A GOOD PARTY IS NOT EASY. YOU WILL BE STRESSED. You will worry that things will go wrong, or that it won't go well. In my experience hosting big parties, which usually involve a crowd of 20 to 30 - unless it's an exclusive gals' night out - I've found that every party needs just three main things: good food, good liquor and good music. These three are the most important, and everything else just falls into place.

THEREFORE, START PLANNING EARLY. Pick out dates that are worth celebrating. Birthdays, anniversaries, festivals - save the memorable parties for the most significant ones. This year, I was celebrating my 50th birthday - which is why I decided to go all out with a Barbie-themed golden jubilee bash, with exactly 50 guests. Not a person more or fewer.

THEME COMES FIRST WHEN THROWING A PARTY. There's a certain sense of excitement that you get when your party's theme matches the trend. But no one knows what the trend will be. No one knew that Barbie would be the hit that it was. You can plan, but know that you might have to throw out your plan.

WHEN IN DOUBT, GO YOUNG AND FUN, NO MATTER AT WHAT AGE OR STAGE. My son (Dillon Ong) knows this. He loves partying with me because Mummy is super cool. The same goes for parties you want everyone to be going home happy and laughing.