Ready for summer? Us too. And this June promises to be one to remember as the capital kickstarts a new season. From exquisite new restaurants and the opening of a renowned hotel, to an international polo festival and fashion exhibitions, here are the coolest things to do in London in June 2024.

The exhibitions: Beyond Fashion and Naomi In Fashion

Daniel Sannwald; Garage Magazine, Fall/Winter, 2014 © Daniel Sannwald

Ellen von Unwerth, Rich Bitch, Paris, 2004 © Ellen von Unwerth

Fashion fans are in for a treat this month as two new exhibitions open putting the world of high style centre stage. At the Saatchi Gallery, Beyond Fashion turns the lens on the fashion photographers behind the camera, featuring more than 100 images from high profile name including Nick Knight, Peter Lindbergh, Paolo Roversi and Ellen von Unwerth. Curated by Nathalie Herschdorfer, director of Photo Elysée in Lausanne, Switzerland, the exhibition is divided into four sections – Allure, Fantasy, Realism, and Surrealism – exploring how fashion photography has gone from commercial advertising to its own distinct art form.

The V&A’s next blockbuster exhibition, meanwhile, focuses on one of the most photographed women in the world: Naomi Campbell. Celebrating her work not just as a celebrated supermodel, but also as an activist and cultural influencer, the show will feature works by leading photographers and designers, in particular those that Campbell has had a close relationship with or worked with collaboratively. Highlights include the purple platform Vivienne Westwood shoes worn on the runway by Campbell in the early years of her career, numerous pieces from Campbell’s famously close relationship with Azzedine Alaïa, and striking images shot by Steven Meisel.

Beyond Fashion runs until 8 September 2024 at the Saatchi Gallery, Duke of York’s HQ, King’s Road, SW3 4RY, saatchigallery.com; Naomi in Fashion opens on 22 June 2024 at the V&A, Cromwell Road, SW7 2RL, vam.ac.uk

The restaurants: Chez Roux and Fitz’s Russell Sq

For failsafe fine dining in the capital you need look no further than London’s grand dame hotels – two of which will be marking glamorous new culinary openings this month. Over at the Langham, Michelin-starred powerhouse Michel Roux Jr has taken over the hotel’s famed Palm Court to open Chez Roux – a modern European restaurant inspired by Roux’s childhood culinary memories. Menus draw on life on Kent’s Fairlawne Estate in the 1960s, where Roux’s father Albert was a private chef, as well as the early menus of the legendary Le Gavroche restaurant, featuring the likes of Welsh rarebit, lamb chops reform (inspired by Alexis Soyer’s 1830s recipe) and a classic chocolate mousse.

The Kimpton Fitzroy, meanwhile, has reimagined its signature dining space into Fitz’s Russell Sq – an airy eatery which makes the most of the hotel’s Grade II-listed features with spectacular lighting, elegant booths and an array of offerings for every type of visit. Divided into three spaces – a brasserie, a parlour and a bar – the all-day dining menu blends seasonal British ingredients with a contemporary spin on classic dishes. After aperitifs in the parlour, head to the main dining room for a feast of scallop with ‘nduja butter and sea herbs, pistachio-crusted burrata and rosemary lamb rump with spiced chickpea relish.

Chez Roux is open now at The Langham, 1C Portland Place, W1B 1JA, langhamhotels.com; Fitz’s Russell Sq is open now at the Kimpton Fitzroy, 1-8 Russell Square, WC1B 5BE, kimptonfitzroylondon.com

The shopping: Selfridges Beauty Hall and Tiffany High Jewellery

Whether you’re after little luxuries or are really looking to splash the cash, London’s most famous department stores are promising some exciting new opportunities for some retail therapy. Over on Oxford Street, Selfridges will be revealing its reinvigorated Beauty Hall following a 12-month renovation. Now housing more than 300 brands, 50 of which are exclusive to Selfridges, and drawing on the knowledge of over 1,000 beauty experts, the space will also host weekend workshops and events, quiet shopping on Wednesday mornings and a new lighting system to foster optimum colour matching. Plus, Selfridges has pledged that by 2025 all its beauty brands will offer refill options.

Harrods, on the other hand, is offering luxury at the other end of the scale as it welcomes the first Tiffany High Jewellery boutique in Europe. Joining the existing Tiffany concession, which will continue to sell luxury and fine jewellery, the new space will be dedicated to Tiffany’s most exquisite creations. Designed by New York-based architect Peter Marino, and featuring Tiffany’s unique pyramid-style display cases, if it’s gobstopper stones, exquisite craftsmanship and designs guaranteed to turn heads you’re after, this is the place for you. 

Selfridges Beauty Hall relaunches on 12 June at 400 Oxford Street, W1A 1AB, selfridges.com; the Tiffany High Jewellery boutique is open now at Harrods, 87-135 Brompton Road, SW1X 7XL, tiffany.co.uk

The wellness: Third Space Wood Wharf

If you’re familiar with Canary Wharf then you’ll know that Third Space already boasts a vast gym on Canada Square. It’s a sign of the brand's popularity, then, that it’s just opened a second site in the newly developed Wood Wharf district offering member dual access to both locations. Designed by Studio RHE with a focus on 360-wellbeing, the new Third Space offers members an indoor pool, sauna, steam room, hydropool and lounge, alongside a state-of-the-art multi-functional gym, reformer and tower Pilates studios and a dedicated hot yoga studio, and will run 120 classes each week

Third Space Wood Wharf is open now at 14 Charter Street, E14 5GZ, thirdspace.london.

The hotel: Mandarin Oriental Mayfair

The wait is finally over. On 3 June one of London’s most hyped new hotels - the Mandarin Oriental Mayfair - will throw open its doors and begin welcoming guests. Standing on the corner of Hanover Square, the striking building will be home to 50 rooms and 77 private residences, as well as an extensive array of world-leading amenities. Foodies can tuck into fine dining Japanese fare at the first restaurant in London from celebrated chef Akira Back, or experience cutting-edge Korean dishes at the chef’s-stable style Dosa, while an extensive subterranean spa promises a 25-metre swimming pool, vitality pools, a gym, and treatments from Swiss Perfection, Oto CBD and Seed to Skin Tuscany.

Mandarin Oriental Mayfair opens on 3 June 2024 at 22 Hanover Square, W1S 1JP, mandarinoriental.com

The culture: Serpentine Pavilion

The 23rd annual Serpentine Pavilion will open on 7 June with Seoul-based Korean architect Minsuk Chow, and his agency Mass Studies, selected to design this year’s edition. A highlight on the international art calendar since its inception in 2000, this year’s design is titled Archipelagic Void and will feature five ‘islands’ positioned around a central open space inspired by the madangs (courtyards) found in traditional Korean houses. The constellation of ‘islands’, meanwhile, will take the form of a gallery, an auditorium, a tea house, a library and a play tower, with adaptable in between spaces hosting the Serpentine’s summer events programme of live performances.  

The Serpentine Pavilion opens on 7 June at Serpentine Galleries, Kensington Gardens, W2 3XA, serpentinegalleries.org

The event: Chestertons Polo in the Park

Kicking off London’s social calendar at Hurlingham Park, Fulham, Chestertons Polo in the Park will be returning from 7-9 June. The three-day international polo event – the largest of its kind in the world with six city teams competing from across the globe, from Sydney and Buenos Aires to New York and London – will feature an impressive food market, shopping village, VIP hospitality, and fun for all the family on Sunday. Friday is set to be an action-packed day with England v Ireland as the headline match, before Ladies Day on Saturday, where guests are invited to enjoy the live music, the luxury shopping village and fabulous gardens. Lastly, the Sunday provides a fitting finale to the three-day polo festival, beginning with a pitch invasion which hosts London’s largest kids party, presented by children’s party entertainers Sharky and George. The afternoon sees the culmination of three days of polo, as the champions of the festival are crowned, followed by the Chestertons Polo in the Park ultimate London garden party to finish the weekend off in style.

Chestertons Polo in the Park, from 7-9 June at Hurlingham Park, Fulham, SW6 3RH, polointheparklondon.com

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