A glamorous night in the Grove...
Above: Foxyshots Starlets Nicola Theobold and Erica Rodriguez
The recent Grove Style Stars fashion show and auction sponsored by Knight Frank and supporting Octopus Challenge at the 20th Century Theatre in Westbourne Grove was a whirl of glitz, glamour and giving. Octopus supporter, actor Nathaniel Parker – aka TV’s brooding Inspector Linley – introduced the event before models hit the catwalk in creations from the top Notting Hill designers of past, present and future (read more about the catwalk creations on page 32). The runway show was followed by an auction and raffle, and the evening raised more than £6,000 for Octopus Challenge’s chosen charities, CancerBackup and The Shooting Star’s Children’s Hospice.
Drinks reception
Champagne flowed courtesy of Vineyards of France and was served, along with Alizé Rose, by the glam Foxyshots Starlets. The champagne reception was followed by Roberto Cavalli Vodka cocktails – with juicy mixers from The Feel Good Drinks Company – and Dark and Stormy Appleton cocktails made from Appleton Estate rum and Fentiman’s ginger beer.
Mouth-watering canapés, including Cajun spiced fishcakes and crostini with rare beef and horseradish, followed by rich chocolate frosted brownies, generously supplied by Butter & Co, were eagerly devoured by guests who included designers Julia Clancey, Philmore Clague, Alice Palmer, Jules Garnell and Deborah McNamara; Octopus Challenge founder Greg Scott; Susie Rogers of BeautyWorksWest; singer Rhianna Kerry; and Caroline Foord and the team from the event sponsors, Knight Frank.
Also circulating were florist-to-the-stars and the man responsible for the venue’s beautiful blooms, Orlando Hamilton; model Angela Radcliffe, who modelled the 1950s brooch necklace donated for auction by Scarletta/0ne; and Rick Parfitt Jr who arrived as guest of our cover star Hayley Menzies. Music was provided by The Jay Scott Project who are supporting Take That on their UK tour.
Charity auction and raffle
The auction, hosted by Piers Boothman of Christie’s, featured a Biba dress donated by Rellik; an Eighties Alaïa dress from Mensah; a one-off pair of Oliver Goldsmith ‘Ogle’ frames created exclusively for the event; a ‘shoe experience’ at the Terry de Havilland studio; a hand-picked pair of jeans from Made in Heaven, which was sold for more than four times its retail value; a ring from Solange Azagury-Partridge; a bespoke shirt experience from Kate Starkey Couture; plus bags from Bill Amberg, Paul Smith and Mulberry. Raffle prizes worth more than £2,000 included gifts from Samantha Shaw, Sundar, Olivia Morris, Georgina Goodman, Delaila, Blue Poppy Couture, Carré Copenhagen, Space NK and Cowshed.
Thank yous
Our special thanks to show producer Kal Khalique and stylist Anna Svensson for their amazing work; Virgin Active and Nuline for their generous financial contributions; Lonsdale for the amazing bar service; Guesthouse West for their crack team of waiting staff; Kell Skött for the stunning hair and make-up; Climate Cars for model transport; the 20th Century Theatre and Naihala Lasharie PR for their assistance and support; Harlem for the after-show bash.
Photographs by Victoria Dawe