Dunhill's Grand 130th Anniversary Soirée at Royal Hospital Chelsea

Sheku Kanneh-Mason attends the celebration of Dunhill's 130-Year Anniversary at The Royal Hospital Chelsea on September 12, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Dave Benett/Getty Images for dunhill)

On a starry evening of 12th September 2023,The Royal Hospital Chelsea's Great Hallbecame a panorama of luxe, history, and haute couture. In celebration of Dunhill's monumental 130-year anniversary, the iconic brand hosted an evening of sumptuous dinner, drinks, and decadence. Overseeing the grand soirée were Laurent Malecaze, the diligent CEO, and Simon Holloway, the imaginative Creative Director ofdunhill. The illustrious event saw a medley of high-profile attendees, many of whom donned Dunhill's signature ensembles. The list gleamed with names like James McAvoy, David Harewood OBE, Russell Tovey, and many more.

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Musical Prelude

As guests poured in, the melodious strains of the Chineke! Orchestra floated through the air, setting a sophisticated tone for the evening. Attendees were welcomed with a cascade of drinks and canapes, serving as the perfect prelude to the lavish dinner that lay ahead.

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 12: Reece Clarke attends the celebration of Dunhill's 130-Year Anniversary at The Royal Hospital Chelsea on September 12, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Dave Benett/Getty Images for dunhill)

A Culinary Ode to British Heritage

The night's gastronomical delights were helmed by renowned British chefJohnnie Collins. Crafting a menu that's a testament to hyper-seasonal British offerings, Collins featured a mélange of dishes, each telling a story of native produce. Noteworthy mentions were the glazed Yorkshire chicken, richly flavored with Wiltshire truffle and complemented by British grilled corn and handpicked girolles. A dreamy concoction of vanilla miso ice cream, wild damson, and meringue pudding marked a sweet conclusion.

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 12: Luther Ford attends the celebration of Dunhill's 130-Year Anniversary at The Royal Hospital Chelsea on September 12, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Dave Benett/Getty Images for dunhill)

Cocktails with a Legacy

For the ardent lovers of classic cocktails, the evening took an even more spirited turn. Peter Dorelli, who regaled The Savoy as its Head Barman for over three decades, rolled out a drinks trolley, expertly mixing Vesper Martinis for the guests, encapsulating the essence of British class.

Soulful Strings

The zenith of the evening was undoubtedly the soulful performance by the acclaimed cellist, Sheku Kanneh-Mason MBE. His melodies evoked an aura of nostalgia, seamlessly blending with the evening's theme of heritage and hedonism.

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 12: Ben Schofield and Henry Kitcher attend the celebration of Dunhill's 130-Year Anniversary at The Royal Hospital Chelsea on September 12, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Dave Benett/Getty Images for dunhill)

Dancing into the Dawn

As the night approached its curtain call, DJ Liberty Joy took over, spinning a medley of disco, funk, and soul, ensuring that the celebrations resonated well into the early hours.

The grandeur of Dunhill's 130-year celebration in London is only the beginning. The brand has also earmarked a series of events, set to dazzle China and Japan later this year. Truly, as the hashtag suggests, #dunhill130 is more than a celebration – it's an epoch.dunhill.com

Dunhill’s Grand 130th Anniversary Soirée at Royal Hospital Chelsea

Musical Prelude

A Culinary Ode to British Heritage

Cocktails with a Legacy

Soulful Strings

Dancing into the Dawn

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