Business events, a companion who reads the dress code

A little context goes a long way. Before the event, share the nature of the occasion, the dress code, how you would like her introduced and anything useful about the guests. A first name and a simple, plausible account of how you know each other is usually enough. Your companion will not volunteer details, will not discuss your business beyond polite conversation, and will leave the venue with you or separately, exactly as agreed.

Black tie, cocktail, smart business: each has its own grammar, and the house takes that grammar seriously. A reception in a glass tower at Zuidas calls for sharp, understated tailoring. A concert followed by dinner in Oud-Zuid may call for an evening gown. A launch in a former warehouse in Amsterdam Noord allows something more directional. Tell us the code on the invitation and the character of the venue, and she will arrive dressed to it, never underdressed and never overstated.

Some women are simply at home in a formal setting. Karolina combines poise with a quick wit, and her love of opera and architectural walks gives her something to say in almost any venue. Violetta, tall and confident, carries a sleek elegance that holds its own in a room full of tailoring. Samanta plays the violin and is learning languages, a real gift at an international table. Margo, refined and calm, brings a quiet authority and an educated eye for contemporary art.

Karolina, Violetta and Samanta all belong to the tall collection, a natural reference for occasions where presence matters.

At the venue, your companion takes her cue from you. She can circulate beside you during a standing reception, hold a conversation with the person on her left while you speak business on your right, and sense when a discussion needs privacy. She drinks moderately, keeps her phone out of sight and treats every guest with the same courtesy. If you need a moment alone with a client, a glance is enough. Should the room turn to dancing, she will join you on the floor or hold your place at the table, whichever you prefer.

Events rarely end on time, so reserve generously. The hour begins from €180; a full evening at an event carries its own quote, given on WhatsApp once the programme is known. If the evening overruns, send the coordinator a line and more time is added when her schedule permits. An event in Den Haag or Rotterdam adds travel time, so write earlier. The practical steps are set out on the reservations page.

When the formal part is over, some guests continue privately: a quiet drink at the hotel bar, a late supper in Amsterdam Centrum, or a walk to clear the head after hours of conversation. Others prefer to part at the door of the venue. Either way, decide in advance, so the exit is as smooth as the entrance. A dinner date on another evening is a relaxed way to see the same companion without an audience.