Royal Academy Summer Exhibition Marks 257th Year with Expanded Architecture Integration

The 2025 Serpentine Summer Party in Kensington Gardens marked the 25th anniversary of the Serpentine Pavilion architecture commission with the debut of "A Capsule in Time," designed by Bangladeshi architect Marina Tabassum. The event, cohosted by Cate Blanchett and major figures including Michael R. Bloomberg and Hans Ulrich Obrist, attracted a mix of art world luminaries and fashion icons, highlighting a shift toward a fashion-focused celebration. Guests mingled amid the pavilion and other open-air installations, with fashion highlights including Blanchett's Dilara Findikoglu seashell corset, Lily Allen's 16Arlington ensemble, and Eiza González's sheer Harris Reed dress. The party also featured a live set by Caroline Polachek and a DJ set, with the afterparty hosted by Sonam Kapoor and Eugenio López. Tabassum's pavilion, embodying themes of time and temporality, served as a serene centerpiece, while attendees enjoyed a curated menu reflecting the architect's heritage. The event underscored the Serpentine's mission to keep public programming free and accessible, energized by a host committee led by philanthropist Isha Ambani.