The Whitechapel Gallery has announced an exceptional evening of art, fashion and moving-image on Thursday 14 March 2013 for the annual fundraising gala in partnership with Swarovski. Major names from the world of fashion including Giles Deacon, Bella Freud, Marios Schwab and Nadja Swarovski select the most promising fashion postgraduates emerging from London to take centre stage in the first ever live catwalk show in the Gallery.

Whitechapel Gallery Director Iwona Blazwick OBE, Nadja Swarovski, Member of Swarovski’s Executive Board, Mollie Dent-Brocklehurst, Art Plus Chair and Justine Picardie, Harper’s Bazaar Editor-in-Chief, lead a committee of renowned figures from the worlds of art, fashion, film and music, inviting guests to join an evening premiering the next generation of designers. Funds raised support the Whitechapel Gallery’s Education programme, which works with thousands of children and diverse community groups every year.

For Swarovski Whitechapel Gallery Art Plus Fashion, outstanding postgraduate fashion collections will be paired with work by leading moving-image artists, followed by live music and celebrity DJs. An auction led by Sotheby’s Oliver Barker includes works generously donated by major contemporary artists. Guests will have the opportunity to bid on works by Bani Abidi, Andrea Büttner, Minerva Cuevas, Corinne Day, Peter Davies, Sam Durant, Cornelia Parker, Bridget Riley, Bob and Roberta Smithand Catherine Yass.

Swarovski Whitechapel Gallery Art Plus Fashion will feature a stunning catwalk show with creative direction by Sara Blonstein and Chris Ford from Blonstein and Associates. Event production by Event Concept will be complemented by a delicious party menu devised by Smart Hospitality with Angela Hartnett, Wright Brothers oysters and bespoke cocktails and refreshments byCourvoisier, Peroni, Jose Cuervo, Stolichnaya Vodka, Laytons Wine Merchants and Firefly Tonics.