Ahh, it’s January. Perhaps you’re feeling gloomy that the festive season is over for another year. No more excuses to ‘work-but-not-really-work’, or to drink Baileys at 11am on a Thursday. Or, maybe you’re feeling relieved that the party season is over. No more needing a 10/10 sartorial showstopper seven days a week, your body is relishing in it’s new year cleanse, and daily routine is thoroughly needed.
Either way, what better time to reflect on all the fun that’s been had? Use the quiet(er) month of January to look back at the December parties and see who made in on the 'Guest List.' We peruse the sartorial winners and the party decor ideas for you to nab and recreate. Suffice to say that December is the ultimate month for lavish parties and sophisticated soirees. There’s a lot to choose from, but we’ve picked our favourite special events from the most enchanting month of the year.
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Linda Farrow x Nima Benati
Sunglasses brand Linda Farrow began the holiday season in style to celebrate its collaboration with renowned Italian fashion photographer Nima Benati. Nima “takes a dreamlike journey through colours, and has become renowned in campaign shoots for global brands such as Dolce & Gabbana, Dior and Saint Laurent.”
Held at London’s recently refurbished member’s club The House of Koko, pink was the colour oscillating throughout the event – a colourway that forms one of the collaborative pieces. Metallic pink gift bags and oversized teddy bears filled the room – an ode to the Linda Farrow holiday bear called Lila – a complimentary gift with every purchase from the collection.
Mija Knezevic
Eunice Olumide
Tanya Philipson and Tamsyn Spires
Madeleine Thompson's Christmas Jumper Lunch
Cashmere knitwear designer Madeline Thompson hosted a Christmas lunch in West London. The lavish dinner was held at the upscale ‘The Pelican’ – iconic singer Adele’s favourite pub in London, apparently. Sadly the Easy On Me singer wasn’t in attendance, but socialites including Hum Fleming and Rosemary Ferguson made up for an exclusive guestlist. Cable knits, ruffled shoulders and collared sweaters make up the agenda for the designer who wants “the women who wear my clothes to feel elegant and relaxed”. Is there a more perfect dress code for winter?
Lily Bertrand-Webb and Hum Fleming
Rosemary Ferguson and Elfie Reigate
Mary Fellowes
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Prada's Holiday Party
Ain’t no party like an S Club party, and the same could be said for Prada. On December 7, some of the finest in London’s fashion set gathered at the brand’s store on Queen Street, for a sophisticated cocktail party.
The monochromatic undertones of the Italian fashion house’s holiday collection was emulated at their exclusive holiday event. The collection “celebrates the traditions and memories inherent in the season”.
Donna Walsh
Tish Weinstock
Daniel Lismore
Forces for Change dinner
How could we possibly leave at Vogue’s lavish Forces for Change dinner? British Vogue’s editor-in-chief Edward Enninful and Condé Nast Britain’s chief business officer Vanessa Kingori hosted the soiree at Leicester Square’s 5-star hotel The Londoner on 4th December. “After a reception with Laurent Perrier champagne, guests were seated in the ballroom at tables decorated with Blooming Haus flowers and Jo Malone London candles to enjoy tuna tartare, gnocchi and sea bass”, according to Vogue. Though the list of VIP guests would take us until next Christmas to read out, Naomi Campbell, Iris Law, Emma Weymouth, Marchioness of Bath and Jodie Turner-Smith were a few star-studded guests who were flying the British flag.
Naomi Campbell
Emma Weymouth, Marchioness of Bath
Alexa Chung
A Mrs. Alice and de Gournay dream
Mrs Alice, plus de Gournay, equals a match made in luxury interiors heaven. Is it any surprise that a luxury tablescape brand held a cocktail party in a location that puts emphasis on exquisite decor? Mrs Alice, lead by designer and socialite Alice Neylor-Leyland won the Christmas party decor award hands down. With mixes of blues and reds and bronze and greens, against the backdrop of an ornate yellow backdrop, the set-up was as mesmerising as the guest list. The event was held at de Gourney’s home decor showroom in Chelsea.
Emilia Wickstead and Alice Naylor-Leyland
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Poppy Delevingne
Trinny Woodall
The Lady Garden Gala 2022
The Lady Garden – a charity “raising awareness and funding for gynaecological health” – held its annual gala at London’s iconic Claridges Hotel. The guestlist was as lavish as the wardrobe agenda, with attendees adorning the room with the most incredible evening attire. Guests included Princess Beatrice (who wore The Vampires Wife FYI), her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, and her mother Sarah Ferguson.
Beatrice wasn’t the only royalty in the room as music royalty Mica Paris and James Blunt were in attendance, with Ronan Keating entertaining the guests during the evening.
Giorgio Veroni and Tamara Beckwith
Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Princess Beatrice
Christina Estrada and Mark-Francis Vandelli
Net-A-Porter's Party
A luxury party for a luxury retailer. CEO of YOOX NET-A-PORTER Alison Loehnis hosted a stunning cocktail party at Studio Ashby in the historic Grade I listed Bluecoat School. Guests were treated to branded canapes, cocktails, and mulled wine, whilst DJ and artist, Phoebe Collings-James provided the music.
Francesca Hayward
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Yomi Adegoke
Bettina Looney
Camilla Elphick's Breakfast Event
Kate Middleton-approved footwear brand Camilla Elphick celebrated the release of its new season silver “Zoe” boot, its winter Alpine collection and the re-stock of the sold out “Alicia” (which unsurprisingly flew off the shelves after the Princess of Wales wore them last year.)
Held at The Twenty Two club on December 8, an exquisite tablescape from Maison Margaux ltd set the tone for the morning. Centre-piece flowers were designed by El de Fleur London and scented candles from Branch d’Olive added to the festive ambiance. Photographer Sasha Benjamin was on hand to capture the well-heeled (quite literally) attendees such as Lady Violet Manners. Guests were treated to a selection of pastries, bowls of poached Williams pears, granola, Greek yoghurt and London honey, followed by scrambled eggs on toast.
Camilla Elphick
Natalie Salmon and Lady Violet Manners
Sadie Mantovani and Susan Bender Whitfield
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