Stars get charitable at Raisa Gorbachev Foundation Gala
The toast of London society were out in force this weekend for the summer's most glamorous garden party, the Raisa Gorbachev Foundation Gala.
An eclectic mix of figures from the worlds of politics, music, film and the arts descended on Hampton Court Palace for the Russian-themed event, which saw guest of honour Mikhail Gorbachev mingle with the likes of Sarah Brown, JK Rowling, Boris Johnson and Vanessa Redgrave.
Giving the evening a dose of high-octane glamour, there was no shortage of fashion world faces, with Natalia Vodanova, Yasmin Le Bon and Erin O'Connor taking their places at the £300-a-head tables, while Sophie Dahl arrived on the arm of fiancé Jamie Cullum.
With the philanthropic evening raising funds for both the Raisa Gorbachev Foundation and Marie Curie Cancer, the stars were happy to flex their purse strings, particularly when it came to a lively auction.
Dragons' Den star James Caan splashed £300,000 on a multi-coloured skeleton by Damien Hirst, while JK Rowling outbid her rivals, paying £12,000 for a cheeky lapdance by David Walliams.
SEE ALL THE LATEST CELEBRITY PHOTOS HERE
ARE YOU A TWITTERER? FOLLOW US HERE!
BECOME A MARIE CLAIRE FACEBOOK FAN HERE
-
This natural material is vying for attention in contemporary luxury jewellery — these are our favourite piecesThese are our favourite pieces
-
The best plus-size pieces to shop this party seasonIt goes without saying that looking and feeling glam is for everyone
-
Indoor walking exercises are seriously effective at boosting fitness and mood when you're busy - 5 a PT does herselfGet your steps in without stepping foot outside.
