Who says January is boring? Obviously not anyone who was invited to the spectacular Debrett's 500 party at the magnificent Rosewood Hotel. Perrier-jouet kindly provided gallons of champagne for the great and the good of Art, Media, Fashion, Culture and Sport. Every guest a recognisable face. Stephen Webster, Tracey Emin and Ryan Giggs to name and few. Fantastic music and cocktails in Scarfes bar meant we never wanted the evening to end!
The Royal Academy is currently showing a body of the acclaimed Chinese Sculptor Ai Wei Wei's extraordinary works but last night saw the launch of his Art as presented in another form. Rebar in Gold is an exhibition of wearable sculpture showing at the Mayfair gallery of the fabulous Elisabetta Cipriani whose collaboration with Ai Wei Wei evolved to become stunning wearable art (previous artist/jewellery collaborations include those with Rebecca Horn and Erwin Wurm). Made from 24ct Gold the bars are constructed and then bent to create chokers or wrist bands and adjusted by the wearer. The gold bars and bracelets were exhibited in stunning glass and wood cases created by the artist and shipped from China for the launch. The inspiration behind Rebar in Gold was the devastating 2008 China earthquake where Ai Wei Wei was drawn to the contorted steel debris left after the demolition of the schools.The great and the good of the art world turned out to celebrate the launch with Nancy Dell'Olio and plenty prosecco.
If you ever wondered where to find the ladies wearing the best jewellery in town forget Claridge's or the hottest new London restaurants and head straight to Christie's Lates on the 1st Tuesday of every month. Celebrating 40 years this year, Christie's South Kensington is inviting all of it's clients plus neighbours and friends to celebrate along side them with vibrant evenings of jewellery, Art and Interiors. Tuesday's party was no exception. The Gems theme had Knightsbridge Rocks excited before even arriving to meet with some of the wonderful industry experts that were on hand to discuss jewels. The highlight was the fabulously original and very British (with a bit of Irish) designer and jewellery master craftsman Shaun Leane who treated us to a talk, included in which were the stories behind pieces he has made for Alexander McQueen and Boucheron to name two. Look out for Knightsbridge Rocks London at Christie's Lates, December 1st for the 12 Days of Christmas Special.
There are not many things as beautiful as an Ethan K handbag. The colours, the textures and the well chosen semi precious bejewelled clasps make each unique python or gorgeous crocodile skin handbag or clutch completely covetable. Ethan K is himself a rare creature. Stylish and fun. Fashion but not too fashiony....He met the FT how to Spend It editor on the bus while carrying an Ipad case he had made and between them they redesigned the same piece into a ladies clutch bag. Grace Belgravia played excellent host to the bags and the designer last week. A combination of champagne, delicious (healthy) canapes and the wonderful company of Coco Hamilton and her sensational mane made for an excellent evening admiring fabulous handbags.
