Annabel’s drafts in cultural stars including Mario Testino for club makeover

Testino is on board to guide the overall new look of the Mayfair institution
New look: the Garden Room at the new Annabel’s
Robert Dex @RobDexES30 June 2017

Annabel's has drafted in a team of cultural heavyweights to give the club a makeover as it moves to its new home.

Photographer Mario Testino will guide the overall look of the Mayfair club, which is moving two doors down from 44 Berkeley Square to number 46.

He will be joined on a cultural committee by curator Hikari Yokoyama, the partner of White Cube gallery owner Jay Jopling, who will be tasked with finding art for the club’s walls.

The Berkeley Square basement, opened by Mark Birley in 1963, has welcomed stars ranging from Frank Sinatra and Elizabeth Taylor to Kendall Jenner and Rita Ora.

​Testino said: “It is amazing to be involved in the creative process of reimagining such an iconically British institution. I have many fantastic memories of the nights I’ve spent at Annabel’s and I’m excited to be part of her next chapter.”

Make-up artist Charlotte Tilbury, whose A-list clients include Cara Delevingne and Kim Kardashian, will create a new look for hostesses and work on the lighting across the club.

American fashion writer Derek Blasberg is also on the committee. He has been put in charge of the dress code, amid rumours the venue’s strict “no jeans, no trainers” rule may be dropped to attract a younger crowd.

Its owner, West End restaurant tycoon Richard Caring, has also set out a reduced joining fee and subscription for under-27s.

Mr Caring said: “Annabel’s is assembling a collective of people unparalleled in their fields. Mario Testino has and continues to be an absolute force using his genius in the worlds of photography and creativity. We welcome him to our family.”

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