Vogue editor, Dame Anna Wintour, alongside British Vogue editor, Edward Enninful, has curated a Met Gala-inspired event to raise money for the arts in the UK as a result of funding cuts. 

Olivia Griffin

Dame Anna Wintour, alongside British Vogue editor, Edward Enninful, has curated a Met Gala-inspired event to raise money for the arts in the UK as a result of government funding cuts. 

What is Vogue World London?

On 31st May 2023, Vogue announced that London would host the second annual Vogue World extravaganza on September 14th.

The culture and fashion spectacular will feature performances from popular musicians including Stormzy and Micaela Coel. Celebrities expected to attend the event include Kate Moss, Cara Delevigne, Ian McKellen, and FKA twigs.

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Is that you, #KhabyLame ? Welcome to VogueWorld: London. Visit www.vogue.world for all the details.

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Sadiq Khan is expected to play an important role in the event. The Mayor of London has already featured in various promotional images for the event and has attended meetings with Edward Enninful.

The upcoming Vogue World exhibition has been described as a “one-of-a-kind show” inspired by “an opening night” in London’s West End. 

Vogue editor, Dame Anna Wintour, alongside British editor Edward Enninful, has curated a Met Gala-inspired event to raise money for the arts in the UK as a result of funding cuts.

“The 2023 event will pay tribute to British culture, with strong influences from the West End.”

For more than 20 years, Dame Wintour has been the organiser of the Met Gala, a yearly fundraising ball for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute in New York.

The first annual Vogue World showcase, which took place last year, celebrated the 130th anniversary of the fashion magazine and took inspiration from New York street fairs. The 2023 event will pay tribute to British culture, with strong influences from the West End. 

Speaking to BBC News, Dame Wintour explained that she wanted the Met Gala to travel to London because the “art scene is so important” to the UK and “so many people come to London as tourists” to appreciate this atmosphere.

Cuts to the Arts

The government has published plans for 50 per cent funding cuts to arts subjects in Higher Education. These subjects include music, dance, drama, art, and media studies. The Office for Students suggests that these courses are “high cost” and “lower priority” compared to those in STEM subjects. 

Rishi Sunak has pushed for a “crackdown on rip-off university courses” and increased funding for “skills training and apprenticeships provision.” The Prime Minister has also outlined his plan to ensure students continue maths lessons until the age of 18.

In early 2022, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport announced a redistribution of Arts Council England (ACE) funding to 100 locations outside London. This comes as part of the government’s levelling up agenda.

While this does increase funding for other areas, some companies will see a reduction in funding. For example, the English National Opera is set to move its headquarters out of London. The company will lose its annual £12.6 million grant from ACE and instead get £17 million over three years when it relocates.

Furthermore, the Royal Opera House will lose £2.9 million yearly, and the National Theatre funding will be cut by £850,000. Other companies, like the Donmar Warehouse Theatre, have lost their entire grants.

It is cuts like these that have inspired Wintour and Enniful to create Vogue World London.

Fundraising for the arts

Wintour stated that her decision to host the event was a response to her “dismay” at the government cuts to the arts. She stated that the “talent in London is unparalleled”, and Edward Enniful agreed, adding that “post-Covid recovery” makes the event even more important.

Vogue World London takes place before London Fashion Week, in the hopes that the event will increase focus and revenue for London’s arts, fashion, and tourism.

“Whilst the Met Gala is known for being an exclusive event, some efforts have been made to improve accessibility.”

The decision to host the event in London has caused controversy because it focuses attention on the capital city, rather than other areas of the country. In response, Dame Wintour said that she understands “the importance of regional theatres”, but maintained that the London arts hub is of paramount importance the the city, particularly in terms of economic growth.

Whilst the Met Gala is known for being an exclusive event, some efforts have been made to improve accessibility. Tickets are expected to start at prices that “students can hopefully afford” and access bookings are also available.

All proceeds from ticket sales will go to performing arts organisations in London, such as The National Theatre, Royal Opera House, Rambert Dance Company and The Royal Ballet.

Vogue World London will be live-streamed at 8pm BST on 14th September 2023.

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Featured image courtesy of Laura Chouette via Unsplash. No changes were made to this image. Image licence found here. 

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