The Serpentine Summer Party was practically perfect in every way. It was a balmy evening in Kensington Gardens and the setting sun lit up the new pavilion in rich gold hues. There was Ruinart champagne on tap, plentiful canapés and a starry guest list. On the dance floor, actress Celia Imrie danced with her eyes closed and her arms floating above her head to Jolene by Dolly Parton. Practically perfect, except for one tiny problem – there was a no smoking rule. Guests could go outside for a cigarette, but they wouldn't be allowed back in. "This is a public park!" fumed one, while an actress's husband told security "I am NOT a child" as they tried to prevent him from lighting up. As such, the portaloos had the intense aroma of a pre-2007 pub, with many guilty faces emerging. Thankfully, spirits were kept high by a Casa Dragones bar serving tequila on the rocks and a lively DJ.
Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan, Cate Blanchett, Marina Tabassum and Michael Bloomberg attend The Serpentine Summer Party Dave BenettThe party was co-hosted by Cate Blanchett, who appears just as at home among the art crowd as on set. The Standard bumped into Mayor Sadiq Khan as he helped himself to some curry at a buffet within the pavilion. "It's wonderful to see some of the world's finest talent enjoy London," he said, before chiding me for drinking champagne on the job. Among the talent was rapper Skepta, who caught up with Serpentine director Hans Ulrich Obrist, singer Will.i.am, artist Stephanie Simon, and model Adot Gak.
Activist Munroe Bergdorf said she was looking forward to a hard earned break. "I've been working on two books and a film for the last five years. I'm really ready to just enjoy summer, get myself to Hampstead Heath and just chill by the ponds," she said. Bergdorf will then jet off to Ibiza, while Chicken Shop Date's Amelia Dimoldenberg was getting recommendations for Biarritz. Lady Amelia Windsor got an early night, saying she wanted to be on form for Glastonbury, while Bianca Jagger was last man standing on the dance floor.
The party celebrated the 2025 Serpentine Architecture Pavilion designed by Bangladeshi architect Marina Tabassum.
Georgia May Jagger Dave Benett
Beth DittoDave Benett
Jourdan DunnDave Benett
Lily AllenDave Benett
Isha Ambani, Hans Ulrich Obrist and Bettina KorekDave Benett
Poppy Jamie, Eiza Gonzalez and Amelia DimoldenbergDave Benett
Dina Asher-SmithDave Benett
Alicia VikanderDave Benett
Sir Grayson Perry Dave Benett
Georgia May Jagger and Lily McMenamyDave Benett
Will.i.amDave Benett
Lady Kitty SpencerDave Benett