BOTTLETOP X AFRICA’S OUT! : LONDON LAUNCH WITH NOT IMPOSSIBLE

Bottletop hopped back across the Atlantic as we followed our New York launch with another wonderful gathering in London, this time in partnership with sustainable luxe boutique and social network 'Not Impossible' owned by Lily Cole.

Lily welcoming everyone to her stunning 'Not Impossible' space

Set in a glass conservatory that was formerly the sculptural studio of artist Andrew logan, Not Impossible is nestled conveniently behind London Bridge. Lily welcomed an upbeat crowd that included Julia Peyton-Jones, director of The Serpentine Gallery and Glenn Scott Wright, director of Victoria Miro, alongside starchitect David Adjaye, Man Booker Prize-winner Marlon James, and fashion designer Duro Olowu not to mention the star of the collaboration, contemporary artist Wangechi Mutu. With it being Frieze week, London’s creative glitterati had particularly packed schedules, so we were especially honoured to welcome such a diverse gang. The impressive turn out paid testament to the importance of our partner cause, AFRICA’S OUT!, which shares our mission at Bottletop.

Wangechi Mutu describing her vision for Africa's out! and the inspiration behind the butterfly icon, which is the centre piece of our collaboration

Proceeds from the sales of the new accessories collection (now available at Not Impossible and here at bottletop.com) will support the invaluable work of AFRICA’S OUT! We deeply welcome and support the growing resonance that their work is now finding in Africa and around the world as awareness around LGBTI issues becomes more mainstream. 

The Bottletop x Africa's Out! collection at the Not Impossible boutique in London Bridge

The gorgeous pieces in our new collection are decorated with the signature butterfly icon by activist artist Wangechi Mutu, whose work we have long admired. Our new Sammy rucksack was among the standout pieces, and guests perused the range while enjoying champagne and delicious Thai canapés served by Mango Tree.

DJ Peter Adjaye playing a heady blend of uptempo afrobeat, funk and soul

Guests admired Wangechi’s artwork displayed on the limited edition designs as they arrived through Lily’s boutique. The crowd then wound their way through the creative studio space and up into the stunning glass-roofed penthouse to find Peter Adjaye behind the decks and Ibibio Sound Machine performing on stage.

Bottletop Co-Founder Cameron Saul introduces Lily Cole

Lily looked particularly striking in a shimmering pink Temperley jumpsuit as she addressed the crowd, describing why our work at Bottletop strikes a chord with the ethos of her radical boutique. Our founder Cameron Saul then spoke about the ethical production behind the collaboration and how the design process with Wangechi had unfolded organically. 

Man Brooker Prize Winner Marlon James addresses the crowd

Man Booker Prize-winner Marlon James took to the stage to give a moving speech alongside Wangechi about the LGBTQ crisis in East Africa. We hope this collaboration can go some way towards contributing to greater awareness around the issue. The shared belief in the crucial role of the arts in driving this change came through powerfully in the speeches on the night. Marlon was introduced by Hadeel Ibrahim, long-term Bottletop family member and Chair of the Africa Center in New York and Mo Ibrahim Foundation.

The party took a lighter turn later in the night as our djs turned up the heat and everyone hit the dance floor under the twinkling lights of the Shard as they glittered through the glass roof above. 

Ibibio Sound Machine bringing the event to an unforgettable climax

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