Held during Frieze 2019 and hosted by Natalia Vodianova, The Naked Heart Foundation’s Fund Fair drew London’s who’s who for a good cause.
Every year’s social calendar in London has many highlights and a plethora of fabulous fundraisers and charity events. But, one who perhaps stands out above all others is the Naked Heart Foundation’s Fund Fair.
Founded by supermodel Natalia Vodianova, the event – that has become one of the year’s most anticipated events, saw a glittering throng of some of the most recognizable faces descend on Brewer Street Carpark to support a worthy cause… and have a little fun in the process.
The Naked Heart Foundation aims to create an inclusive society that is open to people with disabilities and special needs, through encouraging play and creation of free support services for affected families.
The host Natalia Vodianova, who wore a sensational Giambattista Valli gown and paired the look with an elegant Chopard necklace, welcomed guests and set the tone of whimsy with her choice of accessories – elf ears.
The attendees started the evening of surrealism, magic and illusion with a Krug Champagne reception while magician Archie Manners (a close relation to the Duke and Duchess of Rutland) wowed the audience with his performance.
Following this, guests were ushered in to enjoy a sumptuous dinner while conjurer Katherine Mills and acclaimed illusionist Darcy Oake stunned and enthralled the crowd with their performances.
Commenting on the evening, Natalia Vodianova stated: “At the Naked Heart Foundation we want to make fundraising fun. The more fun our guests have the more we can help children with special needs, and their families. Most importantly, we can raise more awareness of how these families live, the challenges they face and the happiness they can have, with professional help and support.”
The main portion of the evening and most important part was, of course, the auction. Held by Alexander Gilkes, the auction included some spectacular works of art as well as some one-off designer pieces. Highlights from the sale included an artwork by British visual artists and Turner Prize nominees Jake and Dinos Chapman, a piece by world-renowned artist Matt Collishaw, a timeless Berluti two-piece and shopping spree as well as a Dior Metal Saddle Bag Designed in collaboration with Japanese artist Hajime Sorayama.
The evening saw over £220 000 in total raised during the event with all funds going towards the Naked Heart Foundation’s programmes to develop a network of free support services for families of children with special needs and to create inclusive play facilities for children of all abilities.
Notable guests in attendance included Olivia Palermo, Johannes Huebl, Jeremy Irvine, Abbey Clancy, Ed Westwick, Pippa Bennett-Warner, Amber Anderson, Michael Ward, Neelam Gill, Caro Daur, Mert Alas, Tom Grennan, Saffron Aldridge, Milo Aldridge, Tanya Burr, Alex Eagle, Alexander Gilkes, Charles Aboah, Camilla Lowther, Sam Rollinson, Charlotte Wiggins, Harry Blain, Brian Whittaker, Phillip Colbert, Sheherazade Goldsmith, Jordan Stephens, Hope Ikpoku, Josie Lane, Natasha Zinko, Charlotte Colbert, Andrea Panconesi, Anastasia Belyak and Marta Doskarina.
Another memorable highlight of the evening was the games portion. These included Dior Dice, Golden Ticket by Stella McCartney, the Fendi Croquet Forest and the Louis Vuitton Planet Throw.
Hope Ikpoku Jnr, Siobhan Bell and Michael Ward
Siobhan Bell Ed Westwick and Neelam Gill Jonathan Ajayi, Michael Ward and Hope Ikpoku Jnr Pippa Bennett-Warner and Jonathan Ajayi Florrie Thomas and Lindsey Holland Sam Rollinson, Michael Ward and Charlotte Wiggins Darcy Oake Archie Manners
Ed Westwick, Neelam Gill and Alexander Gilkes
Alexander Gilkes Caro Daur Michael Ward and Hope Ikpoku Jnr Olivia Palermo
Amber Anderson and Jordan Stephens
Olivia Palermo and Johannes Huebl Michael Ward Natalia Vodianova and Mert Alas Yasmin Ghandehari and Mark-Francis Vandelli Anna Vitiello Ed Westwick Sheherazade Goldsmith Caro Daur Johannes Huebl Amber Anderson and Jordan Stephens Harry Blain and Yasmin Ghandehari Natalia Vodianova and Edoardo Caovilla Edoardo Caovilla Natalia Vodianova and Giancarlo Giammetti Charlotte Wiggins and Sam Rollinson Ed Westwick Mohammed Al Turki Amber Anderson
Martha Ward and Robin Scott Lawson
Mohammed Al Turki Natalia Vodianova and Alexander Gilkes Florrie Thomas Anna Vitiello
Jordan Stephens and Amber Anderson
Olivia Palermo Lelisa Desisa Martha Ward Caro Daur Neelam Gill Johannes Huebl Misse Beqiri Neelam Gill Amber Anderson and Jordan Stephens Pietro Boselli
Ed Westwick, Mohammed Al Turki and Pietro Boselli
Pippa Bennett-Warner Johannes Huebl Yasmin Ghandehari and Mark-Francis Vandelli Giancarlo Giammetti Abbey Clancy Natalia Vodianova
Neelam Gill
Jeremy Irvine and Jodie Spencer Caro Daur Tom Grennan Sam Rollinson Jeremy Irvine Charlotte Wiggins Tanya Burr
Topped off with DJ Josh Ludlow on the decks, the evening was a great success and will make next year’s event that much harder to beat.
Images: Dave Benett
