May in London is always a heady mix of blossom, back-to-back soirées and the kind of weather that makes alfresco drinks feel like a spiritual experience. And this month, the capital’s social scene was in full bloom - from rooftops to hidden gardens, galleries to car parks (yes, really), the fashion crowd was out in force.
Whether it was for a cause, a campaign, or a quietly chic dinner with a very well-dressed guest list, May delivered a calendar of events that reminded us what modern glamour really looks like. Think purpose-driven parties with a side of champagne, heritage brands making a splash in fresh new ways, and launches that doubled as immersive storytelling experiences.
As always, H! Fashion was front and centre - capturing the moments, the outfits, and the guest lists that defined the month in style. From the glittering to the quietly cool, these were the events that set the tone for summer. Scroll on for our round-up of the most exclusive, most fabulous, and most fashion-forward happenings of May 2025.
Maison Perrier-Jouët presents: PJ in your PJs
When Maison Perrier-Jouët says “come as you are,” they mean it - as long as you're in silk pyjamas, of course. On May 13, The Berkeley Suite was transformed into the chicest slumber party in town for a night of bubbles, bites, and bedtime glamour, hosted in collaboration with Olivia von Halle. Guests arrived chauffeured and champagne-ready, slipping into their monogrammed silk sets (pre-gifted, naturally) before being whisked upstairs to a floral-filled suite where Perrier-Jouët flowed and canapés made the rounds. The dress code? Luxe loungewear only - and no one was mad about it.
A live pianist soundtracked the evening as attendees lounged on velvet daybeds, sipped from coupe glasses, and caught up in candlelight. The guest list included models, fashion editors, stylists, and tastemakers - all delightfully off-duty and draped in silk.The night ended on a high note (literally), as a giggling group - led by none other than Ladies of London's Juliet Angus - broke into a spontaneous, fizz-fuelled rendition of Taylor Swift’s Love Story, accompanied by the pianist. Who said pyjama parties were just for teens?
Ôrəbella UK Launch
Scent and skin took centre stage at the long-awaited UK debut of Bella Hadid’s fragrance brand, Ôrəbella - and no, this wasn’t your average perfume launch. Held at the achingly chic Sessions Arts Club, the evening was a sensory escape designed to bring Bella’s clean, bi-phase "skin-loving" scents to life.
Guests including Kim Jones, as well as H! Fashion cover girls Charli Howard and Camille Charrière as well as our ever-glamorous sustainability columnist Lady Amelia Windsor - joined Bella Hadid through dreamlike installations dressed with cascading florals and moody drapery. Four immersive “scent zones” introduced attendees to ‘Ôrəbella’s debut fragrances: Window2Soul, Salted Muse, Blooming Fire and Nightcap. Bella, ever the main character, made a mid-event outfit change from a liquid silver corseted look to an all-white ensemble - adding fashion drama to the fragrance theatre.
The star moment? The “shake to activate” ritual, which fused nourishing Ôrəlixir with fine fragrance, putting a tactile spin on perfume application. Cocktails inspired by the fragrance profiles (think: salted caramel vodka and floral gin fizzes) kept spirits high, while Kim Turnbull and Tommy Gould provided the soundtrack to this modern olfactory fairytale.
Star Hill Farm's Whisky Dinner
What’s better than golden hour in London? Golden hour with whisky. Gentleman’s Journal brought together a select crowd for an intimate dinner with Maker’s Mark atop The Nest at Treehouse Hotel - the rooftop haunt with those panoramic skyline views that never get old. The evening celebrated the UK launch of Maker’s Mark’s Star Hill Farm Whisky, an ultra-premium expression from the cult Kentucky distillery’s sustainable estate.
Against a hazy lilac sunset, guests including Arizona Muse, Eric Underwood, Luke Day and H! Fashion editor Natalie Salmon sipped on the signature 'Farm Berry Collins' and 'Gold Fashioned' cocktails, each mixed with the Star Hill Farm release. The three-course feast - burrata, cornfed chicken and a particularly decadent chocolate cake - was served under candlelight, while the head distiller himself mingled and shared whisky wisdom. The mood? Impeccable. The vibe? Southern charm meets London cool. The consensus? More of this, please. It was a masterclass in relaxed elegance, where farm-to-glass whisky and good conversation flowed with ease.
The Women for Women International Car Boot Sale
London’s chicest car boot sale returned to the Selfridges car park this May - and yes, it was just as fabulous as it sounds. Hosted by tastemaker Alex Eagle in collaboration with Selfridges’ ‘ReSelfridges’ platform, the much-loved #SheInspiresMe sale once again transformed the fifth and sixth floors of the W1A landmark into a treasure trove of pre-loved fashion and beauty.
This year’s edition saw donations from the likes of Sarah Harris, Poppy Delevingne, Skye McAlpine, Charlotte Olympia, Eugenie Niarchos and Noor Fares, with rails overflowing with pieces from Rixo, Hunza G, Coach, Jimmy Choo, Manolo Blahnik and more. Beauty buffs, meanwhile, were treated to finds from Augustinus Bader, Charlotte Tilbury and 111SKIN.
Beyond the fashion frenzy, the atmosphere was one of community and purpose - with every purchase supporting Women for Women International, the vital charity helping women survivors of conflict. After raising over £370,000 last year, this edition upped the ante with even more designer gems and a buzzing crowd ready to shop with meaning. Sustainable shopping has never looked - or done - so much good.