Alexa Chung, Kylie Minogue, Laura Bailey and Peter Capaldi were among guests who turned out to fête the unveiling of the 2019 Royal Academy Summer Exhibition at Burlington House, now in its 251st year. Grayson Perry, dressed in a confection of frothy pink, co-hosted the evening, which is a perennial staple on the London social calendar.

Now in its 251st year, the Summer Exhibition is the world’s oldest open submission exhibition – which means that anyone can enter work to be considered for inclusion. This year’s esteemed edit has been coordinated by British painter Jock McFadyen MA and includes works by Jeremy Deller, Marcus Harvey and Tracey Emin. A menagerie in the Central Hall includes works by Polly Morgan, AKA the ‘queen of taxidermy’; Charles Avery, known for his exquisitely detailed drawings and Mat Collishaw, one of the original YBAs.

Jodie Harsh, New Found Form and The Amazonica were the evening’s special guest DJs, followed by a live performance by James Bay.

Grayson Perry at the Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition preview party 2019

Alexa Chung at the Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition preview party 2019

Kylie Minogue at the Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition preview party 2019

Peter Capaldi at the Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition preview party 2019

James Bay at the Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition preview party 2019

Laura Bailey at the Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition preview party 2019

Graham Norton at the Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition preview party 2019

Henry Holland, Jodie Harsh and Alexa Chung at the Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition preview party 2019

Luke Evans, Kylie Minogue, DJ Fat Tony, Jodie Harsh, Kelly Osbourne and Jimmy Q at the Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition preview party 2019