ICA Fundraising Gala

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Tracey Emin and Vivienne Westwood © Jon Furniss

Where: Koko Club, Camden
Joanne Black Style: David Szeto print dress, Lanvin belt, YSL heels and an Alexander McQueen clutch

With a line-up including Lulu and the legendary Bryan Ferry, you’d think that the ICA’s annual gathering to raise funds for emerging artists would be a night all about the music. And in many ways it was – dancing away to a selection of hit songs is always time well spent. But, for me, it will always be remembered as the night when the best style came from the tablecloths.

This would usually be hard to believe, but when I tell you that Vivienne Westwood was behind the styling, you’ll understand why. With everything from the table line to the flower arrangements designed by Westwood – who looked chic in black with her trademark orange hair –  the Camden nightclub had never looked so good.

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Joanne Black and friends @ the ICA Gala © Jon Furniss

Of course, talk of fashion didn’t stop at the tableware. My table was hosted by Mira Anafina of Damiani jewellers, and included tailor Luca Rubinacci who discussed suits – and gave me the opportunity to add in a few of my usual style points. But with guest of honour Charles Finch encouraging us all to buy tablecloths, it wasn’t long before we were back thinking about Westwood’s wonderful prints once more. I purchased a signed cloth in the night’s silent auction, and I can tell you it won’t be going anywhere near the dinner table!

ICA

Where: ICA Figures of Speech Gala
When: 26 March 2009
Joanne Black style: Sharon Wauchob black dress (Autumn/Winter 09), with Alaia belt, patent leather gloves and a Sergio Rossi Clutch

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Caught in Vogue’s Spy spread – just goes to show black will always be a fashionable choice.

Guests were wearing black like it was going out of fashion at the fabulous ICA fundraiser. Sydney Finch looked chic in Prada and Bianca Jagger made great use of accessories to go with her elegant black number – wearing emerald and diamond earrings paired with timeless pearls. As usual, I added my own ‘Black’ style, but it was good to see Yana Peel (wearing Duro Olowu) and our very own Marketing Director Jacqui Wales bring a splash of colour to proceedings.

With Alan Carr as host, it was always going to be an evening filled with laughter – and a few surprises. Little did I know when I sat down in the venue’s black and gold Porter Tun Hall that I be treated to a rendition of The Who’s ‘My Generation’ by Bob Geldof – on a Ukulele – or hear Janet Street Porter discussing the merits of shower caps (especially when I tell you speakers had been asked to bring something they treasured more than anything else).

I have to say, the after-party was a real highlight – although I’m still convinced DJ Henry Holland’s hair didn’t actually move throughout his entire set. My one regret of the whole evening is that I didn’t have chance to get my picture taken with HRH Queen Elizabeth (or should I say an Alison Jackson look-a-like) and her beautiful corgis. They were so beautiful in fact that had my dog Jinky been there, I am not sure I would have made it to the dinner.

My favourite ‘winter’ colour, a whole host of fabulous dresses and £180,000 raised for the ICA’s education programme – who could ask for more?