Snow Queen | City

MTV Staying Alive 15th Anniversary Gala

With all the Halloween festivities going on last weekend, it was rather refreshing knowing that I had been invited to a more glamourous gala event taking place at the St. Pancras Rennaissance London Hotel to celebrate the 15th Anniversary Gala for MTV Staying Alive. With my dress picked (the navy blue backless number) and Cinderella heels to boot, I awaited my carriage looking forward to what the night had in store.

Once arriving at the palatial St. Pancras Rennaissance London Hotel, VIP guests walked the red carpet taking time to smile for the cameras before being ushered into the reception where tantalisingly crisp Grapetinis and the fruitier Peach Queen flowed in abundance in preparation for the main event.

Millie Mackintosh on the red carpet

Julien Macdonald and friend

Guests were served Snow Queen Vodka's signature cocktails

Boris Becker and Lilly Becker

As the guests took to their seats, the real fun started as MTV's Laura Whitmore and MTV Shuga star Nick Mutuma took to the stage to host the gala. The gala showcased the inspired interpretations of the MTV EMA from artists and designers such as Lee Broom, Ryan Gander, Yinka Shonibare, Dave White, D*Face along with Philip Michael Wolfson and Sabine Roemer which went under auction along with other once-in-a-lifetime auction lots such as a pair of VIP tickets to the MTV Movie Awards in Los Angeles including business flights with American Airlines and the amazing opportunity to play at the sacred courts of Wimbledon with Tim Henman I mentioned last week! 

Nick Mutuma and Laura Whitmore hosted the gala

The redesigned MTV EMA on display

The gala was chaired by Former Chief Executive and Chairmain of MTV International, Bill Roedy and saw speeches from former French footballer Patrick Vieira as well as Executive Director of MTV Staying Alive, Georgia Arnold. The night also witnessed Henry Luyombya awarded with the MTV Staying Alive Inspiration Award. The night had its own melody as newcomer Amy Matthews warmed up the stage before headline act Lianne La Havas - guitar in hand strummed away to a happy night. The night was topped of after my glass of Grapetini was topped up by an electric crowd-pleasing performance by Snow Queen Vodka's ambassador SMITH LDN who performed his exciting new single 'I Come Alive'.

Bill Roedy

(from left) Patrick Vieira, Henry Luyombya and Georgia Arnold 

SMITH LDN

The elegant night along with its celebrity heavy guest list which included Eliza Doolittle, Boris Becker, Millie Mackintosh and MTV Staying Alive Ambassador Becca Dudley capped off this worthwhile event by raising a jaw-dropping £250,000! If that wasn't enough, Durex pledged to a condom for every pound raised - Thanks Durex! In a world where 32 million have already been lost due to AIDS related causes since 1984 and the alarming fact that 1 in 2 new HIV infections occur among those between the ages of 15 - 16, causes such as this are tantamount to the fight against HIV/AIDS and ensure we help the next generation grow up in a world that is HIV free. 

Snow Queen | City

all images © Copyright James McCauley
facts and stats courtesy of UNAIDS 

Snow Queen | City

Snow Queen | City

The Iconic MTV EMA Customised by leading contemporary artists to help fight HIV

How I'm in love the fall with its reddish leaves falling and scattering on the ground. It’s also a great opportunity for me to reveal my stylish A/W wardrobe. I was just about to head out of the house when I received an e-invitation to an event that will see the iconic MTV EMA customised by leading contemporary artists in an effort to help fight HIV.

The night will showcase the different interpretations with the redesign of the iconic MTV EMA from artists  and designers such as Lee Broom, Ryan Gander, Yinka Shonibare, Dave White, D*Face along with Philip Michael Wolfson and Sabine Roemer. The artists went away to find inspiration from an array of sources. I’m looking forward to seeing Sabine Roemer’s incorporation of the emeralds she has produced with Gemfield’s Zambian emeralds on the tail of her stunning version which features a bird.

The re-designed awards will be auctioned off at a special event alongside other once in a lifetime auction lots which includes a game of tennis on the hallowed courts of Wimbledon with Tim Henman and the chance to take on Chess Grandmaster, Garry Kasparov, 38-storeys high at SushiSamba

Bidding for the lots has begun already online at www.gavelandgrand.com/auctions/mtvsaf

The refreshing Grapetini

This event will mark the 15^th year of MTV Staying Alive and will be hosted by MTV’s Laura Whitmore at the beautiful St Pancras Renaissance Hotel on the 2^nd of November. I’m looking forward to watching the amazing performances by MOBO-nominated singer, Lianne La Havas, as well as the new and exciting artist SMITH and Amy Matthews as I sip on my refreshingly crisp Grapetini alongside my fellow VIP guests.

‘’HIV continues to affect millions of young people around the world with half of people who are HIV positive become infected before they turn 25 so to be able to transform an award from MTV – one of the most iconic youth brands – is so fitting. Young people have never known a world without HIV and AIDS but through this auction and event we hope to allow them to be the generation who can change this.’’ said Georgia Arnold, Executive Director of the MTV Staying Alive Foundation.

To have a collection of artists and designers so distinguished supporting such a worthy cause is very incredible and inspiring I'm looking forward to the night. But I must admit, I’m one Spicey Queen away from making a bid for court action with Tim Henman!

Snow Queen | City | 2013