We are proud to announce that last night we were a part of something very special, The IDG Gala. For six years the International Day of the Girl has been raising awareness about and supporting vulnerable, disadvantaged girls and women to realise their potential and reach their goals. Be it completing school, finding a job or starting a business, The Prince’s Trust aims to help through their Women Supporting Women campaign, a community that’s strictly female.
Each year a whole host of celebrities attend The IDG Gala for a private dinner, entertainment, auction and award presentation with all the profits going back to The Prince’s Trust to help more women and girls achieve.
This year we got involved by donating a Lamborghini Huracan Spyder to be auctioned off for a week’s hire. With this year’s guest list including inspirational and successful women such as Rita Ora, Poppy Delevingne and Abbey Clancy, it was always set to be a phenomenal night. Celebrity ambassador for the Prince’s Trust, Idris Elba, presented the IDG award for the year. The award recognises the achievements of positive role models in the world of business, all whom usually work closely with charities to share their success. The winner, Anya Hindmarch CBE, is an English fashion designer with a difference. She’s supported multiple charities throughout her career and is also a UK trade ambassador. She created the infamous I’m not a plastic bag tote bag, attempting to raise awareness of environmental issues through fashion.
The event was held at Albert’s Private Members Club in South Kensington, West London – a venue renowned for its first-class cuisine in the early evening and entertainment late into the night. With an annual membership usually costing £500, the club is often frequented by the Made in Chelsea cast, who were out in force last night. With a head chef who has previously worked on catering for the Oscars as well as the Cannes Film Festival, guests were treated to stunning food following a champagne reception. Charlotte De’Davis, co-founder of the BARDOU foundation, then gave a speech on the importance of the cause. The BARDOU foundation and academy helps to provide disadvantaged women with the resources and skills needed to become self-employed in the hair and beauty industry, aiming to employ them through their salons once completed. The academy also provides emotional support to women who may not have anyone else they can rely on.
This was followed by an auction featuring a range of donated items to raise money for the cause. Our week-long loan of a Lamborghini Huracan Spyder went for a bargain £2.5k with some items fetching up to £15k. The most impressive auction lot was a commission for artist Bradley Theodore to paint a portrait in his colourful signature style. The lucky winner got up to £13k before counter-bidding himself to round it up to £15k. With tables seating 6 starting at £2,000 as standard and going up to £3,500 for VIP treatment, a lot of money was spent last night, with all proceeds going back to The Prince’s Trust for a fantastic cause.