Henry Holland's 'Debut' - Charity Event & Exhibition (London, UK)



There's nothing better than spending money on something when you know it's for a good cause. Which is why the combination of fashion and charity is such a great mix. The last time I posted about a charity collaboration, it involved designer dolls, which some of you (and yours truly) deemed to be a bit creepy at times. An event that happened this week titled Debut was decidedly less sinister, since it involved actual clothing, art and other memorabilia.

Launched by Henry Holland, Debut saw the designer recruit the help from fellow British creatives and friends, resulting in a large collection of coveted pieces which were first featured in a pre-event exhibition, then auctioned off on March 24. All proceeds went to Cancer Research UK, the world's leading charity dedicated to beating cancer through research.

A gorgeous venue: auction pieces displayed in the converted church that is One Mayfair.

I got a chance to catch a glimpse of some of the pieces prior to the auction event, all of which were presented in the stunning One Mayfair venue (a converted former church dating back to 1825). The lots up for auction focused on British fashion through the ages, featuring donations from the likes of Christopher Kane, Nicholas Kirkwood, Kate Moss or Paul Smith to name a few - while Agyness Deyn starred as a DJ during the actual auction.

Loved the pink-black combo of the seating area. The official booklet listed all auction items and the event schedule.

Below you'll find a few of the pieces that went up for auction. Which item(s) would you have bid on? Let me know!

Left: Peter Pilotto dress; the design was worn by Kate Bosworth. Right: Dress by Erdem, designed for Browns boutique to celebrate 40 years of British Fashion.

Donations by Henry Holland himself, included the signature House of Holland slogan shirts and an afternoon out with the man himself (left). A beautiful creation by milliner Stephen Jones (top right) and an autographed photograph of Kate Moss during Alexander McQueen's 2004 runway show, photographed by Richard Young.

Left: Christopher Kane red bandage dress from his first collection, as worn by Victoria Beckham. Right: Richard Nicoll dress featuring artwork by Linder Sterling.

Fashion as art: David Downton illustration of Erin O'Connor (top left), oversized limited edition signed Mary Quant stamp (lower left), painting from Alex Echo, who's art inspired Paul Smith (center), Simon Claridge pop-art of Kate Moss (top right), Dior by John Galliano photograph (lower right).

Left: Erdem floral dress. Right: Bellville Sassoon evening dress.

Top: Kate Moss for Longchamp bags designed exclusively by Kate for Debut (incl. handwritten note). Bottom: Nicholas Kirkwood shoes designed exclusively for Sarah Jessica Parker.

Left: House of Holland wedding dress reading 'Who needs a husband I've got House of Holland'. Right: 'History of Rainbows' dress by Tracey Boyd, exclusively for Debut.

More impressive shots: Twiggy (top left), Sid Vicious (bottom left), Tamara Rojo photographed by Paul Smith (center), David Bowie (top right), signed copy of Alexandra Schulman's first publication of Vogue UK as acting editor (lower right).

Vintage items, incl. a sparkly cardigan from the 20s (left).

If you missed 'Debut', you can always donate to Cancer Research UK via the official page. Henry Holland will be doing more charitable work next month when he runs the London Marathon for Oxfam along with a few friends (including Agyness once again). Donations for that can still be made via this fundraising page.

On a final note, if you happen to be in London this weekend, eco-brand People Tree is running a 'Sample Sale for Japan' until March 27 (near Aldgate East), with all proceeds going towards 'The Second Harvest Charity', which will provide food for the victims of the recent earthquake/tsunami in Japan.

42 comments:

  1. What a glamourous life you live, dear S! I agree with you about events like this - it's a great cause and it's nice to be able to donate and also get something beautiful, it's like a memory.
    I adore the Alex Echo's painting so much. There's a certain energy about it and I love the colours. I would also like to own the drawing of what looks like one of the looks from Dior's collection a couple of seasons back. I would probably want that print more than the painting...

    Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

    xxx

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  2. Your photographs are so wonderful. I can imagine tagging behind you and seeing this with you.

    Insanely wondeful pieces.

    Oh that ballerina photograph, her arch is more than most humans can possibly achieve.

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  3. i think i'd have bidded on the fashion as art items. if i were more practical though i'd go for the erdem clothes, i have a thing for those 'prints' that look like paintings.

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  4. fashion and charity is a great mix. i really like those shoes and a bunch of other great pieces featured here!

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  5. How fabulous! I definitely would have bid on the Bellville Sassoon evening dress and the David Downton illustration. Love him. He's one of my all time favorite illustrators :)

    Hope you're having a lovely weekend! xoxo

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  6. These photos are superb! What a GREAT venue!

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  7. that vintage cardigan is the item I would bid on. wonderful to see that people care. and that first photo is so awesome.for a second it felt like I am there. oh I miss London so much

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  8. What a great cause...I wouldn't have minded bidding on those fabulous Nicholas Kirkwood shoes!

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  9. Amazing pics!
    Love those shoes!

    xoxox,
    CC

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  10. thanks so much for stopping by and for the add!.. just clicked on the mcqueens, haha
    p.s. what a great space for an event, and old church

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  11. Beautiful pictures! My favorite is definitely the shoes :)

    Eternally yours,
    Stephanie

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  12. soo beautiful pictures! love the prints on the dresses!
    thanks for your comment btw!
    I am following you!
    xoxo

    http://limonspective.blogspot.com

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  13. What a great event. (I remember the designer dolls - they were fascinating and creepy at the same time). I don't think I could have said no to the red C Kane dress!
    ... and I do want to hear the elevator story. Frightening!!! xo

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  14. They are so pretty.. But I screamed so loud when I saw Richard Nicoll dress. OMG.. literally divine.
    Lee x

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  15. What an awesome event and for such a great cause! I would have bid all my money on that red Christopher Kane dress and Richard Nicoll dress! I want them both so much! I'm surprised that Paris is not print-friendly. I suppose Parisians are more like New Yorkers? All black, formal whereas London is very edgy? xoxoxoo

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  16. Looks like a great event for a good cause. Would have love to be there.=)

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  17. Wow, so many great items at this event. I love the hat by Stephen Jones and the Christopher Kane red bandage dress! I also think the vintage items at the bottom are gorgeous.

    Hope your week is starting out well!! :)

    Rachel

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  18. This is just incredible - I am LOVING the shot of Twiggy!! :)

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  19. Too bad I couldn't afford any of these things, but I would totally bid of some of these items. I'm especially a fan of the fashion photography! Not sure where I would wear some of the clothes, but I can definitely see the photos in my living room :)

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  20. Richard Nicoll dress - how much did it sell for? Would have so loved. Just the kind of personalized, unique fashion I am after.

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  21. Agree with you completely! Shopping for a good cause is such an amazing feeling! I wish I were able to visit London!

    xoxo,
    melrod

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  22. Hi my dear-sounds like an awesome event and I love the clothes up for auction, I'd go for Christopher Kanes dress!! Fabulous pictures and a wonderful review, well done xx

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  23. Love Henry Holland...and this is definitely a great cause.

    As always, love all the photos!

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  24. People Tree... Did Emma Watson design a line for that collection once? It sounds familiar.

    The hall is beautiful!! I wonder how much they made from the overall auction :)

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  25. oh my, there is so much eye candy i would not have known where to start!

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  26. what a great event for such an important cause! and the venue is AWESOME! so are the items up for grabs!

    and thanks so much for your tip about the birds at the tate. i MUST see them! i am on the prowl (!!! lol) to find images and find out about the artist!

    and that stupid french connection campaign has been with you for a YEAR?! ack! so lame! i think it is finally making its way over to the u.s. -- for better or worse. lol

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  27. Some great things up for auction! Unique and great memories associated with all I'm sure. That sample sale sounds great! If only I could fly to London right now...

    http://red-soledfashionista.blogspot.com/

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  28. Gasp! That black swanky 20s cardigan has me swooning! I'm kind of obsessed with 20s fashion right now. Hehe. :P What a fab event! xoxo

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  29. You're so lucky to live such a glam life of high-end boutiques and fashionable events like this! All those items are so beautiful, but my fav would have to be the Peter Pilotto; there's something fun and edgy about that dress that just catches my eye.

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  30. Very interestign pieces!
    thanks for your lovely comment.

    v.v.
    http://fashiondoseblog.blogspot.com/

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  31. Wow!! What amazing church and exhibition!

    xoxo
    B* a la Moda

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  32. So beautiful. Each wonderful post you put on your blog makes me even more envious of your life. I seriously need to be your travel buddy.

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  33. Ooooh, I really love those Erdem dresses! :) I almost bought a pair of Erdem boots by Nicholas Kirkwood! :)

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  34. Nice exhibition and selection of pics!

    Go on :)

    See you soon

    Justine

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  35. So many great pieces; it would've been hard to choose which ones to bid on! Lovely photos.

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  36. amazing venue for a great cause!
    I'd like to admire them in person...but so appreciate your post for now! Thanks!

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  37. i love that picture of the ballerina with the sword... fantastic exhibit!

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  38. I think I would have gone for the SJP designed Kirkwoods!

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  39. Such beautiful works of art, it's great to see charity events like these.

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  40. HW! I love him!
    Such a great designer he is...creative, modern and always trendy :)))

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