Linda Farrow x Matthew Williamson Tea

Celebrating the new AW16 collection, Calypso.
Photos Darren Gerrish

The Matthew Williamson garden at Blakes hotel
Yesterday, as London basked in its hottest September day in 150 years, there was no better place to cool down than the oasis that is Matthew’s newly designed courtyard at Blakes. Linda Farrow, our long-time sunglasses collaborator hosted afternoon tea to reveal our new AW16 collection – ‘Calypso’.

Venetia Falconcer, Rosanna Falconer, Rose Thomas and Melissa Hemsley at the Linda Farrow x Matthew Williamson launch in the Blakes Hotel garden
Venetia & Rosanna Falconer, Rose Thomas of The Londoner & Melissa Hemsley of Hemsley Hemsley
Shin Park of Park'n'Cube at the Linda Farrow x Matthew Williamson launch in the Blakes Hotel garden
Shini Park of Park and Cube
Kitty Spencer, Kelly Eastwood and Olivia Grant at the Linda Farrow x Matthew Williamson launch in the Blakes Hotel garden
Kitty Spencer, Kelly Eastwood of The London Chatter & Olivia Grant

Tables were set with bespoke place names by Papier, blooms by Rowan Blossom and of course, cake stands of scones, mini sandwiches and mille-feuilles prepared by the chefs of this iconic hotel. Guests including Martha Ward, Rose Thomas and the Hemsleys fluttered in butterfly sunglasses between sips of (iced) tea. The birdcage, now painted golden under Matthew’s direction, became a hub of laughter, toasts and twirls.

Martha Ward at the Linda Farrow x Matthew Williamson launch in the Blakes Hotel garden
Martha Ward
Rosie Fortescue at the Linda Farrow x Matthew Williamson launch in the Blakes Hotel garden
Rosie Fortescue
Sarah Mikaela at the Linda Farrow x Matthew Williamson launch in the Blakes Hotel garden
Sarah Mikaela of Framboise Fashion

Venetia Falconer, Maddie Shaw, Melissa & Jasmine Hemsley, Olivia Grant, Kelly Eastwood, Kitty Spencer, Rosie Fortescue and Rosanna Falconer at the Matthew Williamson garden at Blakes hotel.

Monty the zebra oversaw proceedings from his pedestal on the geometric-patterned wall, designed by Matthew and painted by the studio. The gossip? A zebra never shares his secrets.The End

The Matthew Williamson garden at Blakes Hotel-

With thanks to Benefit Cosmetics for their party bag gifts so guests could get the look of our new campaign, created by head make-up artist Lisa Potter-Dixon.