Swarovski meets Whitechapel Gallery | 14 March 2013.

Swarovski Whitechapel Gallery Art Plus Fashion will celebrate the fusion between Art and Fashion on Thursday 14 March 2013.

The Whitechapel Gallery’s Art Plus Party is a unique event, which explores the dynamic fusion of the visual arts with other cultural forms including drama, dance, film, music and opera – culminating each year in a one-night only, unforgettable party and performance event; a celebration of creativity.

Whitechapel Director, Iwona Blazwick OBE, with Member of Swarovski’s Executive Board Nadja Swarovski, Harper’s Bazaar Editor-in-Chief, Justine Picardie, Art Plus Chair Mollie Dent-Brocklehurst, and a committee of leading figures from the arts, fashion, film and music worlds, invite guests to an extraordinary evening of art, fashion and music to raise vital funds for the Gallery’s Education Programme.

Major names from the world of fashion including Giles Deacon, Bella Freud, Marios Schwab and Nadja Swarovski select the most promising fashion postgraduates emerging from London to take centre stage in the first ever catwalk show in the Gallery, with projected artworks by contemporary artists as a backdrop. Catwalk show production and creative direction by Sara Blonstein and Chris Ford from Blonstein and Associates.

The evening will begin with an auction led by Sotheby’s, Oliver Barker including artworks by Zarina Bhimji, Andrea Büttner, Gerard Byrne, Minerva Cuevas, Corinne Day, Sam Durant, Cornelia Parker, Bridget Riley, Bob and Roberta Smith, Francesco Vezzoli, and Catherine Yass. Vivienne Westwood also donated a limited edition book.

To be followed by a live catwalk show, live music performance and party – with celebrity DJs, food and canapés created by Smart Hospitality with Angela Hartnett, cocktails and music. Throughout the night guests can enjoy Wright Brothers oysters, Laytons bubbly, Firefly Tonics, Peroni beer and cocktails by Courvoisier, Jose Cuervo and Stolichnaya

The support of sponsors, ticket sales and the proceeds of the auction will raise vital funds for the Whitechapel Gallery’s Education Programme which works with thousands of children and diverse community groups each year, helping to support the next generation of artists.