Summer brights despite the rain: Stars don dazzling colours to thwart gloomy weather at annual Serpentine Gallery party

By Jody Thompson

Last updated at 11:08 AM on 29th June 2011


Our glorious British summer is being typically unpredictable right now - while yesterday saw the hottest temperatures of 2011 so far, today saw some of the biggest storms of the year to date.

But while London was soaked with rain and struck with more than its fair share of thunderbolts, a host of celebrities outshone the weather in some on-trend colour-blocking at the Serpentine Gallery Summer Party last night.

Despite the inclement weather at the usually al fresco bash in Kensington Gardens on the edge of Hyde Park, Donna Air blew caution to the wind in a striking yellow asymmetric frock by Roksanda Illincic with gorgeous green and white sandals.

No stopping them: Donna Air, (l) Tara Palmer-Tomkinson (c) and Yasmin Le Bon wore almost traffic-light brights to combat the gloomy weather at the Serpentine Gallery Summer Party last night

Not so mellow yellow: At least you could see Donna in the summer gloom in her neon Roksanda Ilincic dress

Lady in red: TPT shows off the rear view of her classy scarlet frock

Meanwhile, Yasmin Le Bon was the envy of many in her bright green palazzo pant playsuit and fake fur shrug, accompanied by her smart Duran Duran star husband Simon Le Bon, resplendent in a white dinner jacket and patterned cravat.

 

Meanwhile, Tara Palmer-Tomkinson was stunning in a dazzling backless scarlet floorlength gown and while not quite as bright, Erin O'Connor's almost psychedlic pink and purple rose print dress struck just the right note too.

Holly Valance was wearing a similarly trippy purple and green draped silk mini and Noelle Reno was similarly peachy in purple.

Take a stroll: Yasmin and her pop star husband Simon Le Bon

Groovy, baby: Holly Valance, left, and Erin O'Connor, left, wore slightly psychedelic print frocks featuring shades of purple

However, Nancy Dell'Olio missed the mark a bit in an ill-fitting chocolate brown silk mini dress and Caprice looked rather older than her years in a rather Vegas-style white trouser suit and white lacy body.

Other celebrities at the annual star-studded summer society bash which was hosted by Burberry included the label's creative director Christopher Bailey, as well as fashion designer Amanda Wakeley and actress Laura Haddock.

They were braving the thunder and lightning - but presumably not enjoying the gallery's new garden, specially created for this year - to raise money for the institution.

Summer loving: Noelle Reno, was pretty in purple, while Sophia Hesketh and Laura Bailey plumped for florals

All money raised from the party will go to the gallery's internationally acclaimed contemporary art, architecture, design and education programmes.

The event was being held in the Serpentine Gallery Pavilion 2011, a temporary building designed by prize-winning Swiss architect Peter Zumthor.

Let it shine: Nancy Dell'Olio went for chocolate silk and Amanda Wakely for a caramel shade

Garden chic: Jade Parfitt was in a dark blue print dress and Laura Haddock in dark green and blue silk

Now in its eleventh year, this year's architectural commission is built around a 'secret garden' conceived by award-winning Dutch landscape designer Piet Oudolf.

Previous Pavilion designers have included Zaha Hadid, Frank Gehry and Oscar Niemeyer.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2009292/Serpentine-Gallery-Summer-Party-Donna-Air-Yasmin-Le-Bon-thwart-gloomy-weather.html#ixzz1Qf1Bc04J