Summer the season for fashion parties

The season of fashionable parties has begun. This week, Hardy Amies, Vivienne Westwood, Premier Model Management, and Gareth Pugh all have something to celebrate. From birthdays, to product launches, to couture; fashion houses are throwing decadent parties to mark the start of summer.

On Tuesday, Hardy Amies showed his couture collection at Amika to a star-studded crowd. Celebrities such as Virginia Bates and Chloe Delevigne were privy to a preview of his luxurious tailoring and sexy evening dresses in caramel and gunmetal shades, followed by a lavish party where BoomBox DJ Jerry Bouthier lit up the danceflloor. Elle magazine celebrated their annual summer party hosted by editor-in-chief Lorraine Candy. Set in the gardens of Home House, the fashion crowd drank Perrier Jouet until late evening, before heading off to Vivienne Westwood's fragrance launch party, held on the HM President boat on the Thames. The stylish Brazilian band CSS played an electric set before DJ and editor Princess Julia took over the decks.

Thursday sees the launch of John Lee Bird's exhibition 'Before Encore' in Notting Hill's 20 th Century Theatre, which includes a show by newcomer Mattijs van Bergen, who will preview his autumn winter 07 collection. Friday sees the opening of Fashion in Motion with Gareth Pugh, already dubbed to be the hottest ticket in town.