A combination of Gay Pride Parade, Carnival in Rio and Oscars red carpet, the Life Ball saw 40,000 revellers gathered in front of City Hall Saturday night to admire the outrageous costumes on this year's "Fairytales" theme and soak up the party atmosphere.

Elaborately-costumed Little Red Riding Hoods and big bad wolves rubbed shoulders with guests in "S and M" outfits, while others opted for body paint and little else.

A young man impersonating a superb Empress Sissi in white ball gown with crystals in his hair moved royally down the red carpet, while three little female piglets in pink tutus scurried along.

"It reminds me of a huge Disneyland fantasy... it's like gay Disneyland personified!" Scissor Sisters frontman Jake Shears, visibly delighted, told AFP as he fought his way through the crowd upon arrival.

Every possible material was used to make costumes, from candy necklaces to playing cards, all of it sprinkled with a generous dose of glitter.

A bosomy "Titania" in a shiny ball gown said he had spent 30 hours making his costume and two hours "getting rid of the male to become this beautiful lady" as he re-applied a false eyelash.

Politicians also played along: Social Minister Erwin Buchinger appeared as a musketeer while portly Health Minister Andrea Kdolsky strutted her stuff in the fashion show with obvious delight.

The show opened with a fairytale song and dance number that included a figure-skating performance on the red-ribbon shaped catwalk, despite 25-degree Celsius (77-degree Fahrenheit) heat, followed by appearances by German model Nadja Auermann, designer Vivienne Westwood and French opera star Natalie Dessay.

"It's more fabulous every year," said organiser Gery Keszler who has overseen the Life Ball ever since he created it in 1993.

Vienna Mayor Michael Haeupl pointed out however that "while we have fun, we must remember there are some people who don't have as good a life as we do here."

The Life Ball raises money every year for projects helping those with HIV and AIDS. Keszler expected to top the 1.1 million euros (1.48 million dollars) raised last year.

"It's a sensational cause. Gery Keszler made a small thing into a worldwide event and it's just nice to be part of it," said fourth-time Life Ball guest Mona, in a self-made vinyl "Puss in Boots" costume.

The star of the evening, actress Sharon Stone of the Foundation for AIDS Research (amFAR), one of the recipients of the Life Ball proceeds, praised the event and the support it receives from local and national governments, calling it "an example of kindness and compassion, decency, dignity and elegance."

A fashion show followed with celebrities like singer Mya, actor Alan Cumming, Lance Bass and JC Chasez of former boy band N'Sync, porn star Jenna Jameson and famous transsexual Amanda Lepore modelling creations by hip New York designer duo Heatherette, aka Richie Rich and Traver Rains.

Some 4,000 guests, who paid between 75 and 135 euros (100 and 180 dollars) for a ticket, then moved into City Hall, "the only political building in the world to host an AIDS event" according to Keszler, where Vienna's biggest party of the year continued until 5:00 am Sunday.

There, a mock Wedding Chapel offered to marry heterosexuals, homosexuals and groups, while guests were treated to a live performance by the Scissor Sisters and discos, bars and poker tables were set up in the sumptuous vaulted rooms.

"It's unbelievable. This is a photographer's dream, I can't stop!" famed fashion photographer Mario Testino said as he crossed the building's courtyard snapping pictures with cameras in both hands.

Fifty percent of the money raised at the Life Ball will go to AIDS projects in Austria, while the rest will be handed to international organisations.

Some 40 million people currently have the HIV virus, according to the United Nations. Last year alone, some 2.9 million people died of AIDS.

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