Lifestyle

Flashbulb! The best of this week's parties | London Evening Standard

From royal galas to fashion launches, Clara Strunck presents the hottest parties in London this week

Flashbulb! The best of this week's parties | London Evening Standard
Flashbulb! The best of this week's partiesFrom royal galas to fashion launches, Clara Strunck presents the hottest parties in London this weekCatherine, Duchess of Cambridge attends the National Portrait Gallery galaGC Images

Paint the town, Covent Garden

When the Duchess of Cambridge rocks up in custom Alexander McQueen, the Beckhams hobnob with Erdem Moralıoğlu and supers Kate Moss and Jourdan Dunn don floor-length silks, you know you’ve knocked your party out of the park.

Such was the case for the National Portrait Gallery at its annual gala, hosted by Nicholas Cullinan and Edward Enninful.

Shoe shine, Mayfair

It was a who’s who of London at the opening of Sergio Rossi’s new store on Mount Street. Katherine Ormerod prowled the room in leopard print and Violet Naylor-Leyland sipped rosemary Martinis while chocolate cannoli fuelled the imaginations of Lara Bohinc and Bea Fresson for the hi-tech shoe customisation service.

Heaven scent, Highgate

For the launch of its new garden-inspired fragrance, Un Jardin Sur La Lagune, Hermès went all out. Alex Eagle and Theodora Warre sipped botanical gin at OmVed Gardens (around a magnolia tree, no less) before tucking in to wild nettle risotto, while Caroline Issa took snaps of the beautiful citrus possets — each one housed in a frozen lemon.