The first Serpentine Summer Party under the new CEO Yana Peel found her partnering up with Chanel; getting Karl Lagerfeld to design the bash’s brick of an invitation; and pulling in a guest list that spanned Claudia Schiffer, Brooklyn Beckham and Dame Shirley Bassey.
Also in attendance was the London Mayor Sadiq Khan, who appeared infinitely more at ease with the art crowd than the newly appointed culture minister John Glen, Member of Parliament for Salisbury in Wiltshire, who was sporting rustic tweeds and a bemused look. (A look that intensified somewhat when, upon meeting the Frieze director Victoria Siddall, the honourable member needed to be filled in as to the nature of the Frieze art fair…)
Music was provided by the currently omnipresent popstars Rita Ora and Jamie XX. Although there was some disappointment from more mature partygoers (including your correspondent) that Dame Shirley did not take to the stage.
One of the best things about the Serp party is the opportunity for frock-spotting. And amidst a flurry of couture-clad supermodels and celebs, the current Serpentine Gallery occupant Grayson Perry was characteristically resplendent in a canary-yellow bob and sweeping fuschia pink and silver PVC number. But this year, Mr P was rivalled on the sartorial stakes by his elegant artist compadre, Cerith Wyn Evans, who was deliciously decked out in artfully informal layers of summery cream.
The duo had also cannily picked outfits that protected them against the one thing that even the formidable Ms Peel could not control, namely the British weather. Although the rain held off, the chill in the air as the evening wore on meant even the chicest of guests ended up accessorising their look with the cosy blankets provided by their host, meaning that the dominant look of the night ended up being courtesy of Ikea.