From businesswomen to royalty, models to opera singers, London’s most fabulous founders gathered last night at Mayfair’s Apollo’s Muse for Mumble Forum’s annual charity gala. Hosted in aid of Women For Women International UK, and in celebration of International Women’s Day, the yearly landmark in the Mumble calendar brought more glamour than ever before.
Breathtaking performances by Mezzo Soprano Friederike Krum, harpist Stefania Lo Castro and violinist Pietro Genova Gaia were followed by insightful talks by HSBC’s Sam Cooper-Gray, Nadia Swarovski and Karen Millen OBE. Later – and perhaps most excitingly – the charity raffle saw lucky guests win money-can’t-buy prizes, and then dance to DJ Pips Taylor’s pitch-perfect playlist.
Monique Hodgson, founder of Mumble Forum, added: “We are incredibly grateful to all our partners, sponsors and attendees for making last night such an unforgettable evening. Special thanks must go to our speakers Karen Millen, Nadja Swarovski and Sam Cooper-Grey for inspiring awareness, allyship, and accountability, all of course in support of Women For Women International UK.”
The opulent, athenian private member’s club was given a Mumble-makeover with pink blooms by Kokocai Events, and guests were greeted with Lady A rosé and Wild Idol non-alcoholic fizz. As for the canapés? The Mediterranean feel continued with elegant bitesize dolmades, arancini and beef carpaccio sorbet – and, of course, lashings of Croe Caviar on the side.
As for the fashion, the theme of women-supporting-women continued, with guests wearing gowns from female-owned brands including Suzannah, Halfpenny London and De La Vali. Amanda Cronin, HRH Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia, Aicha McKenzie and Zenouska Mowatt all enjoyed the gala’s fabulous hospitality – thankfully stopping for our eager photographers.
The party was as inspirational as it was fashion-forward: Karen Millen told the rousing story of her own resilience, and HSBC’s Sam Cooper-Gray and Nadia Swarovski both held the attention of the bustling room with powerful speeches centring around investing in female-founded businesses – with Sam even challenging the audience to add £250,000 to the UK economy.
The mood of the night? Resilience, empowerment and positivity. Below, step inside Mumble Forum & The Mayfair Times’s Charity Gala 2024.
This year’s Mumble Charity Gala sponsors include HSBC, Mayfair Times, Baroness Lidia Antunes, Apollo’s Muse, Lady A, Albertine, Wild Idol, Geneviv, Croe Caviar, Visual Marvels and Aranyani. Raffle prizes were kindly donated by Jimmy Choo, Charlotte Tilbury, Toni and Guy, Label M, Clive Christian, Amanda Caroline Skincare, Luz London, Freya Rose, Siete Mares 5* Resort, Beauty On Demand, Mum Dad & Me Photography and The Eclectic Collection.
