British supermodel Naomi Campbell and super-brand Burberry brought a taste of London to New York this week as they celebrated artist Ed Atkins’ feature in the annual Frieze Art Fair. Atkins, who is also British, was honoured at the event, which was co-hosted by the director of The New Museum, Lisa Philips, as well as W Magazine’s editor-in-chief, Stefano Tonchi.
Over 120 guests attended the dinner at Lafayette in NoHo, including Lee Daniels, Joel McHale, Michael Kelly, Rupert Friend, Ana de la Reguera, Adam Schulman, Catherine McNeil, Amanda Murphy, Bethann Hardison, Anh Duong and Misha Nonoo. Those lucky enough to have scored an invite were also treated to two special multimedia and spoken word performances by Atkins himself before tucking into some sumptuous food. “I always hope for some kind of intimacy,” explained Atkins when asked what he wanted the audience to take away from his work. “I like being just another person in a room with other people.” Campbell meanwhile was clearly happy at the prospect of being surrounded by good company: “Quality time is fun time for me,” she said. “I’m always either on the road or on a plane. Eating is a social thing. You get to talk to people you don’t get to see.”
The event marks the fourth year that Burberry has partnered with W Magazine in celebration of Frieze Art Fair artists. Meanwhile Campbell is no stranger to collaborating with the brand, currently posing as a face for the 2015 campaign alongside Jourdan Dunn, George Barnett and George Le Page. “I admire what Christopher and the entire Burberry family are doing so it’s great to be back working with the brand again,” said the supermodel of her return to working for the Burberry since 2001.
