From the spinning pavilions to the paparazzi’s camera shutters, the Serpentine Summer party merges together the worlds of fashion, art, film and architecture. Actors, designers, artists, and fashion moguls all gather with champagne in one hand and an amuse bouche in the other. The live music, Met Gala-esque outfits and colorful discussions are all to be expected at this star studded event. It is the perfect time to catch up on art, fashion, culture and even politics.

Every June, the Serpentine hosts the annual Serpentine Summer party to mark the opening of a new pavilion. The gallery invites a renowned architect to build their first structure in England. It attracts a line-up of fashion designers, art collectors, and aristocrats to celebrate the newcomers of the art and design industries. Tasty canapés, fruity cocktails and extravagant live performances are just the backdrop at this chic affair. Above and beyond this highly anticipated event in every socialite’s calendar, the Serpentine Gallery is also a highly sought out visitor attraction during the summer season. 

Located in London’s Kensington Gardens, the Serpentine has been a champion for free contemporary art since the 1970s. Nowadays, the gallery is open year-round with free access for visitors to its program of exhibitions, architecture, and educational talks. The pavilion will occupy the lawn of the Serpentine South building. It first opened in 1934 and was designed by James Grey West. Until the early 1960s, the structure served as a teahouse before becoming an art gallery. Now, guests can wander through the annual pavilions and the array of art on display in the adjoining gallery. 

The event has been attended by the likes of Molly Goddard, Anna Wintour and Sam Smith. Business tycoons, political figures and royalty have also all attended at one point in time; Michael Bloomberg (who is also the chairman of the gallery), Sadiq Khan and Princess Eugine to name a few. There really is no other event that assembles such an array of leading industry stars and experts. Exclusive by nature, this annual celebration is one that has been in London’s social calendar for years.

You walk into the crowd of people. You look to your right and see Princess Beatrice. Then, you look to your left and see Alexa Chung. Two iconic figures in two completely different fields. Yet there they are, mingling and catching up on the latest from the art sphere. Rolls royces’ line up at the front, Laudrée displays their world famous macarons and Laurent Perrier is served to anyone who’s thirst needs quenching. 

The start of the evening is reserved for the unveiling of the new pavilion as well as uniting the glamorous worlds of fashion, design and art. As the sun sets, the guests let their hair down as live music performances take to the stage. Over the last few years, the Serpentine Gallery has gathered a mirage of personalities, experts, exclusive food stalls, and luxury champagne; a perfect cocktail to guarantee in-depth conversations on art, culture and innovation. 

As extravagant as the event will be when putting such starry and eclectic people in a single location, the party also serves another purpose. The annual gala raises funds to continue to supply the public with free exhibitions, art work, projects and educational programs. The gallery is in support of free art paired with free thinking. Over one million visitors go to the gallery each year to these exhibitions with no barriers to entry.  

Of course, the sponsors and co-hosts of the events must therefore share the same beliefs. Throughout the years, Tommy Hilfiger and Chanel have both sponsored and co-hosted the event — Chanel has sponsored it three consecutive times. No matter which brand or designer intervenes, the Summer party is bound to be a spectacle. The structures, designs and conversations will be unique, unusual and historical.

The focal point of the soirée is the pavilion. Each year, a new architect is chosen to create a structure for the Serpentine Gallery. This prestigious commission was pioneered by Zaha Hadid in 2000 and has since been the ‘foot-in-the-door’ for some of the biggest names and emerging talents in the industry, including Rem Koolhaas and Olafur Eliasson. For many intertwined in the art and design world, the start of British summer starts with the unveiling of a new pavilion at Serpentine Gallery.

For over two decades now, the Serpentine pavilions have created thought-provoking visits to the gallery. Each of them leave lasting traces in the architectural sphere. After their summer in the sun however, the pavilions move on to a second life. Where they go specifically, well, that depends on who’s willing to offer up the most amount of money. At the end of the high season, these prestigious structures get sold off to private collectors or high net worth socialites. Some are open to the public, some have been dismantled and donated whilst others haven’t been seen since being sold – some speculate that they are gathering up dust in storage. Whether the pavilions get turned into a beach cafe or a wedding marque, the proceeds of the purchase get donated to the gallery. 

From the creative outfits to the exciting chatter about all things to come in the art world, the Serpentine Summer party is one for the socialite books. The exclusive affair features some of the world’s most renowned food, drinks and most of all, people. Whether you attend for the premium buffet, a powwow with leading professionals or simply for the live music performance, the event is definitely not one to miss.