Star wars: mega-rich tycoons go head to head

IT WAS the social clash that every billionaire tycoon should really try to avoid.

Sir Philip Green and Sol Kerzner, his friend and fellow boy made good, both hosted extravagant launch parties last night — albeit on opposite sides of the world.

Sir Philip was in New York for the grand opening of Topshop while Mr Kerzner was throwing the glitziest of parties for his newest hotel in Cape
Town.

The faux pas was not helped by the fact that Sir Philip was a guest last month at a London party thrown by Mr Kerzner, 73, for his wife's 40th birthday where Donna Summer was the star act. Days later, the invitation was reciprocated when Sir Philip turned 57, serenaded by rival diva Diana Ross.

It is also an invitational hell for celebrities who would not wish to offend very, very rich and powerful businessmen by choosing one party over the other.

Sir Philip attracted a decent smattering of A-listers — including supermodel and habitual Green hanger-on Kate Moss, her new best friend Jennifer Lopez and Oscar winner Kevin Spacey. But Mr Kerzner pulled out all the stops with a stellar cast topped by Nelson Mandela. Other guests included Clint Eastwood, Robert De Niro, Sharon Stone, Matt Damon, Morgan Freeman and Mariah Carey.

On the entertainment front, Sir Philip fared better. Enfield-born Adele, one of the most fashionable acts around, opened proceedings at the Box Club followed by Kevin Spacey, hot-footing it from Broadway, closing the party with a couple of songs that one onlooker said "were not to be missed".

Mr Kerzner laid on South Africa's greatest living performer, jazz trumpeter Hugh Masekela, although guests were also treated to an impromptu serenade from Mariah Carey, who sang I'm Ready.

Mr Kerzner, who lives in Holland Park with his fourth wife Heather, told the Evening Standard he was delighted to be back in his home country for the opening of the One&Only Cape Town resort on the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront.

He said: "Being back in South Africa, heading into the 2010 World Cup, has been especially emotional for me.

"Welcoming Nelson Mandela and celebrating with so many very special people has made this one of the most spectacular times in my 40-year career."

The only problem was which of the 350 guests would get the biggest of the hotel's suites. "I am pretty sure that went to Mr Mandela," said a source.