An Evening at Sweet Lily Lies:
Fashion, Friendship, and a Slice of Pizza
There are evenings that remind you exactly why you keep saying yes to life. The 4th of March was one of them.
I had the joy of modelling at the Sweet Lily Lies collection showcase, created by the wonderfully talented Pharaoh Farrukh of House of Aristocrats, hosted by the fashion designer Alan Endfield in association with Mr Porter. The venue was 22 Park Lane, right in the heart of Mayfair, and if you haven’t been to Mr Porter, let me tell you, it is quite something. Tucked beneath the Hilton Park Lane in the former Trader Vic’s site, you descend a spiral staircase through a copper door on street level into a subterranean world of mirror-polished ceilings, velvet textures and moody, glamorous energy. It was the perfect backdrop for an evening of high fashion.
The Designer
Pharaoh Farrukh is a Pakistani-born, London-based designer whose label, House of Aristocrats, is built on a philosophy I find inspiring. Rather than contributing to fashion’s well-documented waste problem, Pharaoh deconstructs pre-loved garments and breathes entirely new life into them. Every piece is custom-made, tailored to the individual, and carries with it a sense of meaning and intention that fast fashion simply cannot replicate.
His work challenges conventions at every turn. House of Aristocrats embraces gender fluidity, ethnic inclusivity and what Pharaoh describes as mindful luxury. He trained originally as a forensic dentist, which I always think is a rather wonderful detail. He left that behind to follow his creative calling, and London fashion is all the richer for it.
Wearing one of his creations on that runway felt special last night. Not just because the garment was beautiful, but because I knew the care and craft that had gone into every stitch.
I had the joy of modelling at the Sweet Lily Lies collection showcase, created by the wonderfully talented Pharaoh Farrukh of House of Aristocrats, hosted by the fashion designer Alan Endfield in association with Mr Porter. The venue was 22 Park Lane, right in the heart of Mayfair, and if you haven’t been to Mr Porter, let me tell you, it is quite something. Tucked beneath the Hilton Park Lane in the former Trader Vic’s site, you descend a spiral staircase through a copper door on street level into a subterranean world of mirror-polished ceilings, velvet textures and moody, glamorous energy. It was the perfect backdrop for an evening of high fashion.
Backstage
If you’ve never experienced the wonderful organised chaos of a fashion show backstage, it is hard to describe. Hair and makeup artists working with quiet focus, models stealing glances in mirrors, the low hum of anticipation building as the clock ticks closer to showtime. There is a particular kind of energy that only happens when creative people come together around a shared purpose, and it was very much present yesterday evening.
Somewhere in the middle of it all, between the final touches of lipstick and the last adjustments to our outfits, one of my fellow models and I managed to squeeze in a slice of pizza. I regret absolutely nothing. Priorities, priorities!
It was also lovely to have my good friend Carla Delaney, Radio Presenter at Marlow FM, and Media and Communications Consultant there to share the evening. Having a familiar, warm face in the room always makes these occasions feel even more celebratory.
The Best Reason to Keep Showing Up
I am in my ninth decade. I walked a runway in Mayfair in a custom-made creation, surrounded by talented, passionate people who are doing things differently and doing them beautifully.
People often ask me why I keep saying yes to things like this. The honest answer is: because I can, and because life is far too short and far too interesting to do otherwise. Pharaoh Farrukh and Alan Endfield have created something special with events like these. They bring together designers, models, guests and artists in a space where fashion feels alive, inclusive and genuinely joyful.
