The art set flocking to London’s Regents Park for Frieze can be split broadly into a few high profile categories – and all were well represented at Wednesday’s VIP preview.
The event, started by Amanda Sharp and Matthew Slotover in October 2003, is a chance for big spenders to buy up work from an international selections galleries. It runs alonside Frieze Masters which showcases earlier works from the ancient era to the late 20th century. Both are open to the public 12-16 October 2022.
The first through the door, though, were the VIPs. And naturally, the artists held court. Sculptor Sir Antony Gormley, who is the man behind Newcastle’s Angel of the North, joined the East London based artist Yinka Ilori and the ever-extravagant scenester Daniel Lismore at the civilised affair earlier today. Madonna’s budding artist son Rocco Ritchie also made an appearance, and was spotted entering with make-up artist sensation Isamaya Ffrench.
Then come the titles – aristocratic and industry alike. Princess Beatrice of York was accompained by husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, and Netflix’s VP of Global Film, Scott Stuber, rubbed shoulders with Kate Moss’s photographer boyfriend Count Nikolai Von Bismarck.
Former Warner Bros executive and current chair of The Brit School board Josh Berger arrived in a corduroy blazer while Jemma Wellesley, Countess of Mornington, posed with friend Sarah Woodhead and Prince Edward, Duke of Kent’s daughter Lady Helen Taylor had a peruse with her husband Tim.
And, of course, there must be a surprise. This year, that came in the form of Rishi Sunak, the former Chancellor of the Exchequer, who appears to be using newfound free time to broaden his cultural prowess. Pictured with his wife Akshata Murthy, the British-based Indian fashion designer whose estimated net worth is £500million, it is quite possible the pair were scouting for a piece to take home.
