March 24, 2011: The Whitechapel Gallery’s annual fundraising party in partnership with Tod’s and supported by Harper’s Bazaar, celebrated the fusion of art and drama in an exceptional event featuring stars and celebrities.
Whitechapel Gallery Director, Iwona Blazwick OBE, Tod’s President and Owner, Diego Della Valle, Art Plus Chairs, Mollie Dent Brocklehurst and Jude Law, and Harper’s Bazaar Editor-in-Chief Lucy Yeomans welcomed the high-profile guests to enjoy a unique evening of dramatic performances.
The Tod’s Art Plus Drama Party 2011 raised 225,000 pounds to provide vital funds for the Whitechapel Gallery’s Education and Community programme that works with over 3,000 children and 30 diverse community groups each year.
Guests were given the opportunity to bid on a one off Tod’s D-Bag specially customized by artist Ian Davenport with his trademark lines of multicolored paint, as well as commissioned artworks during an auction led by Sotheby’s Oliver Barker. World renowned actors performed the scripts written by leading contemporary artists. Each of the artists wrote five minute scripts that were performed live by the actors exclusively on the night. Esteemed theatre director Rupert Goold directed all six performances.
The evening also celebrated Teatro alla Scala’s ongoing collaboration with Tod’s with the screening of An Italian Dream and a solo performance by Marta Romagna, prima ballerina at Teatro alla Scala. Fashion designer Erdem created a dramatic mask invitation especially for the event.
