Last night, two international icons of creativity—American singer Lionel Richie and British editor Edward Enninful—co-hosted the fourth annual Global Gala for the King’s Trust. The grand ballroom of Casa Cipriani, the members-only club perched along Manhattan’s East River, shimmered with anticipation as a crush of photographers swarmed outside, eager to capture the A-list arrivals. Inside, the scene was no less dazzling.
With the Met Gala just days away, the crowd skewed fashion-forward: models, designers, and style stars mingled under the vaulted ceilings. Burberry’s Daniel Lee, ever the minimalist, paired a sleek tuxedo with a casual blue T-shirt, channeling quiet charisma on the carpet. Vetements’ Guram Gvasalia kept his signature shades on while posing alongside Heidi Klum—both dressed in moody monochrome. Gayle King, newly returned from a trip to space, opted for a floral-embroidered frock firmly grounded in earthly delights.
Iman stunned in a gold-and-black gown that caught the light like armor. She was joined by Adut Akech, Teyana Taylor, and Precious Lee. Elsewhere, legendary model and industry trailblazer Bethann Hardison held court with Savile Row’s Ozwald Boateng. Supermodels Carolyn Murphy and Karen Elson conferred in hushed tones, while Helena Christensen drifted through the room in a cloud of pink petals, arm-in-arm with designer Georgina Chapman.
Three of America’s brightest design talents—Christopher John Rogers, Christian Cowan, and LaQuan Smith—shared a table near the back with Ukrainian model Taras Romanov and nightlife fixture Steven Badius. Beauty mogul Charlotte Tilbury, ambassador to the Trust’s Enterprise program, presided over a table of glamour that included Glamour’s Samantha Berry, model Brooks Nader, and influencer Meredith Duxbury.
Founded in 1976 by King Charles III—then the Prince of Wales—the King’s Trust was established to support young people lacking access to education, employment, or training. Last night’s gala marked a decade since the charity expanded beyond the UK. Now active in over 20 countries, including the U.S., the Trust has provided more than one million young people with life-changing opportunities.
The evening opened with a haunting performance by the Young People’s Chorus of New York City, their voices rising through the candlelit hall like a hymn. Lanterns swayed gently overhead, casting a warm, flickering glow.
A video message from King Charles played across the room on towering screens. “This is an occasion where we come together to celebrate the remarkable work carried out by the Trust across the globe,” he said. “From Detroit to Delhi, lives are being transformed through the tireless dedication of the Trust team and its invaluable partner organizations.”