Alexa Chung, Jerry Hall, Helena Bonham Carter, and More Party—and Peruse the Art—at London’s Royal Academy

Supermodels! Saltburn! Serious PDA! On Wednesday night, Famous faces from across the worlds of art, music, sport, fashion, and film gathered at the grand, historic complex of the Royal Academy of the Arts in London for the summer exhibition preview party. A longstanding highlight in the London social calendar, it’s also the world’s largest open submission contemporary art show, and has been held every year without interruption since 1769.

Guests hopped out of the black cab glut that had parked up just beyond the bustling Piccadilly Circus, into a throng of paparazzi, mouth-agape tourists, and West End theater-goers. Heading under the RA’s neoclassical pillars and into the courtyard, here, the glamour began with a mac n’ cheese van dishing out small pots of pasta. Past an installation by British artist Ryan Gander sat a small stage where guests posed for pictures: Artist Grayson Perry stomped around in acid pink platform heels, while model and author Munroe Bergdorf glided in wearing a sculptural taupe gown. The first true summer evening in London kept people milling around the expansive outdoor area.

Meanwhile, inside the labyrinth of galleries, the 257th edition party was kicking off. Zezi Ifore and DJ Fat Tony had their turns on the decks, spinning disco house and pop edits. The main room’s bar offered Fortnum Mason champagne and summery twists on cocktails like pineapple daiquiris. Venturing further in, canapés championing British produce were in abundance on stacked trays inspired by artist Sol LeWitt’s geometric structures. There was a display of tacos for the taking; a cicchetti station serving up arancini, pithiviers, and chouquettes; and a neverending selection of freshly shucked Maldon oysters.

This year’s event was co-chaired by broadcaster Clara Amfo, designer Rejina Pyo, actor Helena Bonham Carter, Royal Academician and sculptor Conrad Shawcross, and arts patron and Hikari Yokoyama. “Chairing The RA means a lot to me, as I have a great affection for this space as trustee but most importantly as an art lover,” Amfo told Vogue. “I want my visibility with the RA to show people that everyone is welcome to come and enjoy the space, and the pieces it holds. Galleries should be open to everyone, there is still a lot of elitism in creative institutions, and I want to do my part to try and dismantle that in any small way I can.”

This year was themed around “Dialogues,” with the intention of seeing art navigate conversations around societal concerns across ecology, race, gender, and varying cultures. Amfo emphasized how edifying it was to see how many submissions came through. “The female voice is vital for art to exist, and we’ve had some incredible work from some new and returning women to the RA,” she said. “You will definitely see pieces that explore the obsession with controlling women’s bodies.”

Pyo echoed Amfo. “It’s been deeply moving to witness how the artists respond to the world around them,” she said. “Each work feels like a conversation, sometimes joyful, moving, challenging. It’s a powerful reminder of how transformative art can be.”

The event raises essential funds for the Royal Academy and the RA Schools, which is Britain’s oldest art school. The evening launched the exhibition and was the first chance to buy some of the 1,700 artworks on display. For some it was a good old jolly; for others, a pre-shopping ponder. Traitors UK host Claudia Winkleman, Jerry Hall, and Jennifer Saunders took their perusing seriously, weaving in between the artworks. Editors from London magazine The Toe Rag were crowdsourcing dilemmas from famous faces for their agony aunt column. Alexa Chung and partner Tom Sturridge got close and mingled with friends around some towering installations, while Saltburn’s Archie Madekwe and Top Boy’s Saffron Hocking chatted animatedly.

Later on, guests stepped back out into the courtyard for a surprise live performance by Obongjayar with a full band. And after that, as dusk finally fell, to Fortnum Mason to continue the party.