It’s a great pleasure to welcome you to London for Vogue World.
Culture is part of London’s DNA, and this fantastic celebration will shine a global spotlight on our incredibly diverse and innovative homegrown talent.
Last year’s inaugural event in New York was a huge success, and I’m proud that our capital now has the privilege of showcasing our world-leading culture and creativity, featuring theatre, music, dance, opera, art and, of course, fashion.
Tonight, you’ll be able to enjoy a true celebration of London and its artists – the musicians, designers, actors, dancers and painters that demonstrate why London is the cultural capital of the world.
Our city is brimming with creativity, and our unique offer continues to evolve as we invest in our artistic future. Recently, we’ve refurbished our National Portrait Gallery, created affordable artist workspaces and established East Bank, our new cultural quarter and our biggest single investment in culture and education for over a century.
Culture and arts not only entertain; they’re a magnet to bring people together and enrich our lives. They’re also vital to our country’s recovery by contributing £58 billion to the UK economy every year. That’s why it’s so important that we do everything we can to support the sector during the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
It’s been an incredibly challenging few years, but London is roaring back to life with visitors returning in increasing numbers to discover all that our capital has to offer. In fact, our globally renowned theatres, venues, galleries and museums have driven a 141 per cent growth in visitors to London’s attractions last year.
Hosting Vogue World is further proof that London’s cultural offer remains unmatched. I’d like to sincerely thank Anna Wintour, Edward Enninful and their team for the wonderful programme they’ve assembled, and of course the many world-class artists and creatives who will take to the historic Theatre Royal Drury Lane stage.
I hope you’ll have an unforgettable evening and enjoy everything London s culture and creativity has to offer.
Vogue World: London: See Every Celebrity Arrival, Read the Latest Stories, and Get Exclusive Behind-the-Scenes Here
