Roll out the trophy wives: Tycoons and their much younger girlfriends turn out for Roman Abramovich's £5million 'little party'

By BARBARA MCMAHON

Lets party! Roman Abramovich and girlfriend Dasha Zhukova chat to Wendi Murdoch at their New Year's Eve party in St Barts

Roman Abramovich’s annual New Year's Eve party in St Barts is one of the biggest showbiz events of the year.
But looking at the guestlist this year, the invitation could have easily read 'bring your own trophy wife/girlfriend' given the age gaps on show.
While the Russian oligarch, 45, was hosting the party with his girlfriend Dasha Zhukova, 30, a host of celebrity men arrived on the arms of their much younger partners.

Welcoming in 2012: Wendi (far left) and husband Rupert Murdoch (2nd right) await the fireworks

Among them was media tycoon Rupert Murdoch, 80, and wife Wendi, 43; music mogul Russell Simmons, 54, and actress girlfriend Melissa George, 35; film producer Harvey Weinstein, 59, and fashion designer wife Georgina Champman,35; and George Lucas, 67, and his partner Mellody Hobson, 42.
On Saturday night, the Russian oligarch opened his French Caribbean paradise, the 70-acre Gouverneur Bay Estate, to 400 guests for a New Year’s Eve party.

On the guest list: Australian actress Melissa George and her music producer boyfriend Russell Simmons were invited to Roman Abramovich's New Year's Eve party, along with Martha Stewart

Happy New Year! Fireworks are seen over the harbour in St Barts as the clock strikes 12, near Abramovich's home

The owner of Chelsea FC bought the property for £59 million in 2009, and has been enjoying the Christmas holiday there with Dasha, with whom he has a two-year-old son, Aaron.
He and Dasha took off to St Barts not long after Abramovich had reportedly paid £90 million for a 15-bedroom house in London’s Kensington Palace Gardens that was owned by the Russian government during the Cold War.
This was the third New Year’s Eve party he has hosted on St Barts and perhaps the most extravagant - a conservative estimate of the bill is £5million.

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One of the many advantages of St Barts as a party venue is that it’s incredibly difficult and expensive to get to, which minimises the chances of gatecrashers.
There is one small airport - a tiny strip just 2,200ft long - that can accommodate only small prop planes or private jets.

Dressed up: After spending most of the week in swimming trunks, designer Marc Jacobs and ex-fiance Lorenzo Martone dressed up for the party

Figure-hugging: George Lucas's girlfriend Mellody Hobson's dress seemed rather tight

Another of Abramovich’s yachts is the 377ft Luna, which has a crew of 40, is also in Gustavia. A number of revellers have been staying there.
The guest list included Martha Stewart, Australian actress Melissa George and her music producer boyfriend Russell Simmons and Star Wars creator George Lucas.
And a clue as to who else may have been invited could be found by watching those strolling around the harbour, boutiques and jewellery stores in the past week.
Among those seen on St Barts in the run-up to the party were fashion designer Marc Jacobs, rock star Jon Bon Jovi, Jimmy Choo supremo Tamara Mellon, and Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen.

In the party mood: Host Abramovich got into the spirit with a 'Happy New Year' hat

Amidst the carnage: Film producer Brian Grazer and his female companion look distracted, despite the mess and dancing around them

As Abramovich likes to surround himself with beautiful, rich and famous people; it is highly likely all of these names were invited. The President of St Barts, Bruno Magras, was also invited.
Yet it’s possible Abramovich did not personally know all of the 400 or so guests. According to a local St Barts resident, it’s ‘a friend of a friend of a friend thing’, the criteria being that you receive an invitation if you mix in the right circles.
In his way, you might say, Abramovich is a bit of a Hyacinth Bucket figure — a terrible snob obsessed with appearances and the price of everything.

Where are your shoes? Star Wars creator George Lucas dressed in jeans and trainers for the party while his girlfriend Mellody Hobson went bare-foot

source: dailymail