Hello! Fashion Guest List: The best parties throughout the month of May

Hailey Bieber hosting a party at Chiltern Firehouse is just the beginning of May's incredible soirees...

18 May 2023

Online Writer

Did you think King Charles III’s Coronation Concert was the most lavish party the UK was going to host this May? You thought wrong.

London’s party scene has continued to paint the town red with soirees equally as exclusive and definitely as sumptuous. From launch events for everything from shoes to skincare, to pre-summer parties and private dinners to honour the upcoming Royal Ascot 2023. The socialites, the A-listers and the VIPs of the capital are starting the social season with a bang.

MORE: Hello! Fashion Guest List: The best parties throughout the month of April

All roads lead to Rhode

Supermodel and beauty guru Hailey Bieber celebrated the UK launch of her skincare brand Rhode at Chiltern Firehouse – the playground for London’s most distinguished guests. Aside from bringing the cool-girl glamour with her stunning sequin fitted gown from luxury label N°21's pre-fall 2023 collection, she also brought the LA vibes to London with the coolest DJs and served spicy margaritas. What would a Hailey Bieber party be without something glazed? Against the historic backdrop was a Rhode feature wall displaying her coveted products, and the room was filled to the brim with glazed donuts - the edible kind, not her signature manicure. And of course the attendees were as delectable as the donuts. Hello! Fashion's May digital cover star Roxie Nafousi was amongst the glamorous guests in attendance.

Spicy margs, donuts and a DJ? Yes please

Hailey Bieber attends the Rhode UK launch party — Hailey Bieber

Sabrina Elba Sabrina Elba attends the Rhode UK launch party with Hailey Bieber — Sabrina Elba

Wellesley's Wedges

Eleanor Wellseley celebrated the launch of her eponymous label's first collection of wedges and espadrilles. Socialites and fashionistas alike gathered to celebrate whilst enjoying peach bellinis, lychee martinis and a selection of canapes from Peardrop London. "Many of the guests were trying on the Amore Wedge espadrilles in the various colours, deciding what would go best with their summer wardrobe," Eleanor told Hello! Fashion, "lots of people left with the wedges leaving us only having a couple left in stock so it was an extremely successful evening."

Eleanor Wellesley and Lady Violet Manners attend the launch of the Eleanor Wellesley debut shoe collection at Anna Mason on May 16, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Dave Benett/Getty Images for Eleanor Wellesley) — Eleanor Wellesley and Lady Violet Manners

Yasmin Le Bon attend the launch of the Eleanor Wellesley debut shoe collection at Anna Mason on May 16, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Dave Benett/Getty Images for Eleanor Wellesley) — Yasmin Le Bon

Nina Darzi attends the launch of the Eleanor Wellesley debut shoe collection at Anna Mason on May 16, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Dave Benett/Getty Images for Eleanor Wellesley) — Nina Darzi

Royal Ascot's annual Gold Cup Dinner

In preparation for the biggest horse racing event of the British social season, Royal Ascot hosted their annual Gold Cup Dinner at The Dorchester on May 11. Only the most exclusive invitees put their best fashion-feet forward to gather for the exclusive pre-Royal Ascot supper. Guests including Zenouska Mowatt, Petrina Hesketh and Lady Mary Charteris were in attendance for the illustrious occasion.

Zenouska Mowatt and Flora Vesterberg attends the Royal Ascot Gold Cup Dinner at The Dorchester on May 11, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Dave Benett/Getty Images for Ascot Racecourse) — Zenouska Mowatt and Flora Vesterberg

Petrina Hesketh attends the Royal Ascot Gold Cup Dinner at The Dorchester on May 11, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Dave Benett/Getty Images for Ascot Racecourse) — Petrina Hesketh

Mary Charteris attends the Royal Ascot Gold Cup Dinner at The Dorchester on May 11, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Dave Benett/Getty Images for Ascot Racecourse) — Lady Mary Charteris

Reformation's Handbags

Cult-adored brand Reformation have answered our prayers and ventured into accessories, releasing their first collection of handbags. To celebrate, the label's UK ambassador Lucy Williams hosted an intimate evening at Mister Nice in Mayfair consisting of cocktails, Tarot Card readings from Sophie Clark, and a super chic, cosy dinner. "Handbags were a natural next step forward for the brand following their expansion into shoes in 2021," the brand said. "Reformation have focused on creating timeless designs that defy season-to-season trends to be passed on to generations beyond."

Lucy Williams and Sarah Lysander at the Reformation Party — Lucy Williams and Sarah Lysander

Monikh Dale at the Reformation Party — Monikh Dale

Pixie Geldof at the Reformation Party — Pixie Geldof

Love Is In The Air

Nestled in the 'Italian Garden' of the ultra-luxury Beaverbrook hotel hosted the afternoon of dreams to celebrate the return of their impressive hot air balloon dining experience. Special guests were invited to enjoy the Japanese style Yakiniku grill under a the signature balloons, embroidered with love hearts and boasting elegant designs from luxury table dressers Summerill & Bishop. (If you're experiencing fomo, fear not, you can book a Beaverbook balloon for your own party of 6 here.)

Natalie Salmon at the Beaverbook Hot Air Balloon launch — Natalie Salmon

Mathias le Fèvre and Ciinderella Balthazar

Mulberry celebrates 20 years of Bayswater

The legendary handbag brand celebrated 20 years of its Bayswater bag with a party that was nothing short of 'cool-kid's central. VIP's gathered at the Audley Public House in Mayfair to raise a toast to one of the most iconic accessories in history. What's more, rapper Ms Dynamite performed her epic hit song Dy-Na-Mi-Tee. Could the event have been more quintessentially 2000s British?

Emma Winder and Mia Regan attend Mulberry - party at The Audley on May 24, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Ricky Vigil M / Justin E Palmer/GC Images) — Emma Winder and Mia Regan

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 24: Kara Rose Marshall seen attending Mulberry - party at The Audley on May 24, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Ricky Vigil M / Justin E Palmer/GC Images) — Kara Rose Marshall

Aweng Chuol and Daisy Maybe attend Mulberry's 20 years of the Bayswater party on May 24, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images for Mulberry) — Aweng Chuol and Daisy Maybe

Anna Dello Russo x 7 For All Mankind

On May 23 fashion royalty Anna Dello Russo hosted an intimate party that oozed sophistication at Harrods' exclusive Baccarat Bar, to celebrate the launch of her glamorous capsule collection with denim label 7 For All Mankind.

Guests wore key styles from the ultra cool collection and enjoyed a selection of cocktails and canapes, whilst Laura Whitmore occupied the DJ deck and provided top-notch tunes.