Nothing can stop a London crowd from getting their cheers on — not even the four-seasons-in-a-day British weather.

At the inaugural WWD London Culture Club, the city’s top creatives across fashion, beauty, retail, footwear and culture gathered for glasses of Champagne, sushi canapés and cocktails at Sumosan Twiga.

Guests included Zandra Rhodes, bringing a pop of color to the room in her signature fuschia pink glitz, a suited-up Stephen Jones, Bella Freud, Sandra Choi, Martine Rose, Priya Ahluwalia, Harris Reed, ASAP Nast, Oliver Zeffman, William Bracewell, Edeline Lee, Stephen Webster, Han Chong as well as Michael Ward of Harrods, Scott Malkin of Value Retail, Sean Harrington of Elemis, Stephen Rubin of Pentland and Burak Cakmak, the Saudi Fashion Commission’s chief executive officer.

An intimate dinner followed the cocktail party with a neverending menu of steamed and spicy edamame; wagyu beef tacos with creamy sweet soy sauce; gyoza miso cod and prawn; deep fried calamari with chilli mayo; burrata with datterino tomatoes and much more.

Just when guests thought the feast was over, plates of a chocolate mousse bomb were brought out onto the tables with a surprise selection of mochi balls in flavors of coconut, strawberry and mango.

Conversations at the cocktail and dinner party flowed from Labubu charms, London’s dying nightlife to guests swapping notes about their zodiac signs.

The night ended with guests swapping seats and Harris Reed laughing so hard that he was kicking his feet in the air while laying on Stephen Jones’ lap.

All the guests went home with a goodie bag filled with products from Elemis, Kiko Milano and the latest issue of WWD Weekend with Ana de Armas on the cover.

Here, some of the guests told WWD about their summer rituals and plans, as well as their favourite cultural activities.

Han Chong, Founder of Self-Portrait

What are your plans this summer? “I’m seeking a carefree island-hopping holiday in Greece without schedules.”

What’s your cultural London getaway? “When I’m in London, I love to get inspired simply by wandering around Brick Lane in the East. I have found some unique items in several of the well-curated vintage shops on the street, and would recommend more people to go there to soak in the vibrant energy and enjoy the street art and good food it has to offer.”

Harris Reed, Creative Director, Nina Ricci

What are your plans this summer? And do you have any summer rituals? “I’m going to a house in Puglia with my husband and all of his finance friends. I’m excited to basically open their minds up to fashion because I love explaining things that [people] don’t understand. My summer ritual is to try and read three books, which I should aim higher, but with my dyslexia and the fact that my phone is always ringing from my CEO, I never get through my books.”

What’s your cultural London getaway? “I would say going to Holland Park because I live near it and getting a massive bottle of bubbles and passing out in the sun — and try not to have someone steal my bag because I’ve had my bag stolen two summers in a row.”

Sandra Choi, Creative Director of Jimmy Choo

What are your plans this summer? “I’m going to Greece, but also I have friends coming in and out to stay with me all the time, every single week there’s a new batch. Summer is about family and friends.” 

What’s your cultural London getaway? “My favorite London place has to be Hunan in Pimlico, it’s one of those things that I just like. Otherwise, I love discovering new places and street food.”

Oliver Zeffman, Conductor

What are your plans this summer? And do you have any summer rituals? “My summer plans are primarily around ‘Classical Pride’ which takes place on July 4. I don’t have any summer rituals, I’m not a very ritualistic person. I’m quite last-minute with everything.”

What’s your cultural London getaway? “The summer thing to do is ‘Classical Pride.’ But I’ve actually got a few nice restaurants I like going to in east London. I’m going to Brat tonight with William [Bracewell].” 

William Bracewell, Principal at the Royal Ballet

What are your plans this summer? And do you have any summer rituals? “I’m working abroad this summer in Japan and New York, but then I’m going to try and hide myself in the mountains somewhere and get away from everything. Maybe I will go to the Italian mountains, maybe the Dolomites and just swim in a lake and not talk to anyone other than my boyfriend for a few days. My summer ritual is SPF.”

What’s your cultural London getaway? “I love going to the galleries, either the Tates, White Cube or the Victoria & Albert Museum.” 

Edeline Lee, Creative Director

What are your plans this summer? And do you have any summer rituals? “I’m very excited to be going to Sicily. My summer ritual is to take the biggest hat I have and my snorkelling equipment wherever I go.”

What’s your cultural London getaway? “I spend a lot of time in Hauser & Wirth. I love how they have incorporated living into all of what they do, from the gardens to the architecture around it — I find it to be a really holistic experience. The Victoria & Albert Museum is also one of my favorites, I try to run in and see five minutes because there’s so many things on.”

Martine Rose, Creative Director

What are your plans this summer? “I’m going to Jamaica to see my family. [My favorite thing to do while I’m there] is to smoke weed, drink rum and relax.”

Where would you go if you want Jamaican food in London? “There is a brilliant West Indian right by my studio in Finsbury Park called Grannys Caribbean. There’s also a great one in south London called Yah-So Caribbean.”

What’s your cultural London getaway? “I have to promote my friend’s app called OutOfTown and it’s honestly, absolutely amazing. They’re all walking tours of places you never see.”

Priya Ahluwalia, Creative Director

What are your plans this summer? And do you have any summer rituals? “I don’t really have any good ones because I’m working a lot over the summer, but on exciting stuff. My summer ritual is going to Ibiza. I’ve done that every year since I was 18. The only time I didn’t go was during COVID-19.”

What’s your cultural London getaway? “I like going to the theater a lot and that always depends on which plays are on. I love plays that are on at the Bush Theatre and the National Theatre. My favorite London park is Battersea Park because I’m a south London girl.”

With contributions from Tianwei Zhang.