dunhill celebrates its 130th birthday in star-studded style

This year marks 130 years since Alfred Dunhill inherited his father's saddlery business on London's Euston Road aged just 21, laying the foundations upon which the globally famous British tailoring house we see today is built. It's a superb achievement that dunhill, quite rightly, celebrated in style last week with a star-studded event in London's Chelsea.

Hosted by Laurent Malecaze, CEO of dunhill, and Simon Holloway, Creative Director of dunhill, 130 guests were seated for an exquisite dinner in The Great Hall of the Royal Hospital Chelsea to celebrate 130 years of the House. Attendees included James McAvoy, David Harewood OBE, Russell Tovey, Mo Gilligan, Charlie Casely-Hayford, Oliver Jackson-Cohen, and Walpole Book of British Luxury contributor Raven Smith, amongst many others.

Music was a key component of the evening as guests were serenaded by the Chineke! Orchestra whilst drinks and canapes were served on arrival, before enjoying an evocative performance by celebrated cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason MBE during dinner.

For the celebration, noted chef Johnnie Collins developed a hyper-seasonal menu to celebrate the best of British produce and cuisine. Exceptional ingredients were paired with handpicked elements from his own gardens. Highlights included a glazed Yorkshire chicken, Wiltshire truffle, triple cooked chips, British grilled corn and handpicked girolles, and a vanilla miso ice cream, wild damson and meringue pudding.

As the dinner service came to an end, a drinks trolley served Vesper Martinis mixed by Peter Dorelli (former Head Barman at The Savoy for over 30 years) and DJ Liberty Joy brought the proceedings to a close with a soundtrack of disco, funk, and soul.

A landmark celebration of heritage, hedonism and community, this London moment kicks-off a series of anniversary events in China and Japan to take place later this year.

See all the attendees in our gallery below