Whitechapel Gallery party

The Whitechapel Gallery in east London celebrated its reopening after two year of work and £13.5m last night. The undisputed star of the new space - extended by knocking through into the Whitechapel public library - was a full-size mural of Pablo Picasso's famous painting 'Guernica' which usually hangs in the United Nations' headquarters in New York.

One Elle of a party

They turned up in droves at London's Big Sky studios last night for the Elle Style Awards 2009 – the latest in a long line of recent awards ceremonies, this time voted for entirely by Elle readers. Celebrating both style and substance, gongs went to the sartorially savvy - such as actress and part-time fashion designer Sienna Miller (above, right, with fellow designer Matthew Williamson) who received the Elle Style Icon award – as well as high-achievers in the film and media industries.

An Electric evening for charity

Last night a party with a conscience took place at the Electric Cinema, Portobello Road, to help raise money for the Morecambe Bay Children's Fund. Hosted by business magnate David Tang and film director Nick Broomfield, a drinks reception (with fish and chips) was followed by a special screening of Broomfield's 2006 drama Ghosts – a film inspired by the 2004 cockling tragedy. Chipping in for the cause were models Naomi Campbell and Laura Bailey, plus world-class violinist Vanessa Mae (above with Lionel Catelan).

Skimpies ahoy for Agent Prov

Kinky corsetieres Agent Provocateur hosted one of their famously louche launch parties last night - this time for their pirate-themed winter collection. Held at Camden’s indie club Koko, the catwalk show (above) and after-party entitled The Pirate Provocateur Extravaganza was attended by party girl Kimberley Stewart, society rich kid Dan Macmillan and the doyenne of fashion herself, Vivienne Westwood.

Doing it for the kids

Doing her bit for the kids, Gwyneth Paltrow (above) was the guest of honour last night for the launch of Rumble in the Jumble - a fundraising designer clothes sale at the Boiler House, Brick Lane (from Nov 7-9) in aid of children's charity Kids Company, of which Paltrow is a patron. Rifling through the bargain bins was model Ben Grimes, pop star Adele, actress Tolula Adeyemi and buxom burlesque diva Immodesty Blaize.

Exes mark the spot

Established Brit artist Sam Taylor-Wood (second right) unveiled her new show Yes I No at her estranged husband Jay Jopling’s White Cube gallery, Mason's Yard last night - her first exhibition there since 2004.

Hi-ho Haslam’s silver lining

To mark his design company's quarter-century, Nicky Haslam threw a stately party at Parkstead House, Roehampton last night - inviting just some of his many celebrity pals. A number of royals dropped by including Princess Michael of Kent (centre, with India Hicks left, and Prince Michael of Kent, right), as well as A-list actor Keanu Reeves and unstoppable heiress Paris Hilton.

Frieze gets warm reception

The art world descended on Regent's Park last night for the launch of its annual hurrah, the Frieze Art Fair 2008. Industry stalwarts like Charles Saatchi mingled with the new generation (including Dasha Zhukova, centre, with Olympia Scarry, left, and Mollie Dent-Brocklehurst, right) and a host of celebrity enthusiasts such as teen-actress Emma Watson, singer Lily Allen and film director Sofia Coppola.

Tory leaders turn out for launch

Sotheby's auction house was the venue last night for the launch of historian Andrew Roberts' new book, Masters and Commanders (Allen Lane, £25). A gamut of prestigious guests turned out for the event, including Tory leaders past and present (Thatcher, Cameron, Hague, Howard, Duncan Smith), TV anchorwoman Emily Maitlis (left) and Andrea Catherwood (right, with Phoebe Vela centre) and various aristocrats, among them the Earl Spencer.

Tracey makes her move

Tracey Emin launched her new work of art – a travelling chess set (pictured above with Emin and her father Enver) – at the RS&A gallery, North London yesterday. Joining the celebrations were supermodel friend Kate Moss, Moss's former beau Jefferson Hack and his fiancee Anouck Lepere, sometime rock wives Jerry Hall and Jo Wood and fellow Brit artist Tim Noble.