Londoner’s Diary
The Southbank is filled with stars for the London Film Festival. Elle Fanning and Stellan Skarsgård had a waltz on the red carpet for Sentimental Value, in which Fanning plays a Hollywood actress in a Norwegian film. During the Q&A, Renate Reinsve described how the cast felt so connected, “like an organism”, which Skarsgård misheard as “like an orgasm”. Makes sense, Reinsve observed, since he was dressed like Hugh Hefner. George Clooney was at the premiere of Jay Kelly, in which he also plays a movie star. All very meta.
Meanwhile, Frankenstein co-stars Jacob Elordi, Mia Goth and Oscar Isaac went to a Netflix brunch held at 180 Strand, while Kirsten Dunst cuddled a chihuahua at the premiere of Roofman. Over at the newly opened Italian restaurant Carbone in Mayfair, United Talent Agency and Vogue threw a BFI and Frieze party. Guests included Rivals actor Emily Atack and stage star Layton Williams, who had accidentally gatecrashed the opening of the Chancery Rosewood hotel next door. “I did the full red carpet, press, the lot,” he laughed. “It just shows — put on a fab outfit and you can get in anywhere.” Actual invited guests at the Rosewood included Princess Beatrice and her husband, and model Adot Gak.
Frieze frame
Frieze, aka art for partying’s sake, is back in town. The tents are up in Regent’s Park, but it seems that the art crowd just can’t get enough of Mayfair. First up it was to the George, which is newly decorated with portraits by visual artist Chris Levine. Self-professed “living sculpture” Daniel Lismore dressed up model Kyle Farmery as himself, which received the seal of approval from lookalike artist Alison Jackson. Meanwhile, designer Susie Cave, artist Kesewa Aboah and actor Naomie Harris went to Harper’s Bazaar Art party at Mark’s Club. Down the road at Bourdon House, Frieze CEO Simon Fox was at the opening night of a series of talks held by Dunhill, while actor Jessie Andrews went to a Frieze party hosted by Edie Jones and curator Phoebe Forster. Away from the art trail, Spotify hosted a Q&A with Bruce Springsteen and Jeremy Allen White, who plays the singer in an upcoming biopic. According to Springsteen, “Jeremy is a rock star” who sings “very credibly”.
