by In celebration of the new Minsuk Cho-designed pavilion of Mass Studies, the Serpentine hosted its annual summer party on Tuesday, welcoming guests including Benedict Cumberbatch, Minnie Driver, Bianca Jagger, Maya Jama, Alexa Chung, Eric Nam and “Squid Game” star Lee. Jung-jae.
The midsummer bash was co-hosted by South Korean music artist Peggy Gou, British actress Gugu Mbatha-Raw – who wore a custom moon pink Prada ensemble – and tennis legend Venus Williams, who wore an elegant white dress designed by Marco Capaldo of 16 Arlington.
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“As an interior designer and lover of art, I have always found the Serpentine to be a unique place to experience art – surrounded by Kensington Gardens in the heart of one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world. I am honored to co-host this year’s party for a night that celebrates culture and art in all its forms,” said Williams, who has had a busy fashion month, attending shows including Schiaparelli, Dries Van Noten, JW Anderson, Gucci and Prada.
It was a night of monotone dresses. Chung wore a custom emerald green silk dress by LVMH Prize winner Nensi Dojaka. The style was inspired by the green dress worn by Keira Knightley in the 2007 film “Atonement”, which made its runway debut in Dojaka’s autumn 2023 red collection.
Model Edie Campbell chose a generous green tea green dress by Molly Goddard. Jourdan Dunn channeled the Greek goddess in a black and white Nina Ricci gown designed by Harris Reed. British actress Minnie Driver wore a red embroidered Huishan Zhang number.
Among the other best dressed guests were Jagger, who matched her white sequined coat with a pair of comfy shoes that were decorated with crystals; Emma Weymouth in a bright red Vivienne Westwood dress; Marina Abramović asserting herself in a voluminous black dress by Roksanda Ilinčić, and Indian socialite Natasha Poonawalla, who arrived at the party with Edward Enninful in a maxi red dress with floral motifs and a JW Anderson frog print.
It was also an evening when the fashion designers came up with their ideas. Dojaka with Chung, Charles Jeffrey with Cora Corre, Aaron Esh with Kiki Willems, Dimitra Petsa de Di Petsa with Tsunaina, Erdem Moralıoğlu with “The King of Staten Island” star Bel Powley, Emilia Wickstead and New Zealand actress Thomasin Harcourt McKenzie, Reed with Dunn and Jama, David Koma with Shygirl and Ed McVey, who plays Prince William in “The Crown.”
“I’m having such a good time,” Petsa said. “I love that I can throw a party but also be part of a cultural moment. The IS [Yinka Shonibare] The exhibition next to the pavilion is very interesting. I like the way he addresses nationalism and protectionism.”
The designer said that she plans to spend her summer vacation on the nudist beaches of Mykonos. But before that, she is working on the spring 2025 collection, which will introduce menswear in September during London Fashion Week.
Reed plans to go to Greece with friends including fellow designer Lo – whose parents are visiting London for three weeks before his island trip – and also stylist Harry Lambert later this summer, and he will hold many barbecue parties in the garden of his new place. apartment.
The London-based American designer said he was delighted with his dates at the party. “Jama looks hot. I love that she took it to a place for me. She is very Austin Powers in the best way. For me, it’s modern sexuality. Dunn looks like she’s having a princess moment,” Reed added.
He added that Nina Ricci’s new collection is almost here but that her eponymous demi-couture label still has a long way to go.
“I’m still trying to juggle the job of creative director and my namesake label and love both equally. I have been with Nina for a year and a half now. It takes a lot of effort to structure teams and get people to understand the words you are using. For me, the word inclusion or the word beauty means something completely different to a French woman of 45 years. We’re learning how to find the beautiful balance and I think we’re finally doing it,” said Reed, who also confirmed that a new product with his creative touch will be unveiled alongside the brand’s spring 2025 show in Paris.
Rocco Iannone, creative director of Ferrari’s fashion line, was also at the party. “It’s really interesting to be here to see this kind of community, a beautiful mix of art, architecture and fashion talking together. It’s an inspiring moment for me,” Ianone said.
The Italian designer is in the middle of a research trip meeting Ferrari car owners in London, understanding their love and passion, as well as expectations for the brand.
“They’re already engaged and they’re expecting something to surprise them. That’s why I’m refining the idea of what is the right Ferrari wardrobe. I am working hard on these concepts to create something that has a strong meaning for our brand,” said Ianone.
At the center of the star party, of course, was the Cho Pavilion, which was made up of five islands on the grounds of the South Serpentine Gallery.
Hans Ulrich Obrist, artistic director at Serpentine, told WWD while awaiting Skepta’s arrival that he had known Cho for more than 30 years. “I met him at the beginning of his career and he has done some amazing buildings [South] Korea, from Buddhist temples to cinemas, and unusual communion spaces that people can enter into public spaces,” he said.
“For his first project in London, he came up with the brilliant idea of creating a traditional Korean courtyard, built around an empty mall. It includes a playground, a music hall, a gathering space, a library where people can bring their unread books, and a tea house. It’s a very interactive pavilion, and it works during the day but also works really well for a party tonight. We are very happy that the famous choreographer from Korea, Eun-Me Ahn, will be performing and she is the new Pina Bausch,” said Obrist.
The pavilion celebration is a central part of the art institute’s summer programme, which also includes Yinka Shonibare’s solo exhibition at Serpentine South and a Judy Chicago retrospective at Serpentine North.
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