Diet Coke J.W. Anderson Launch Party
Previous fashion designers who've gotten their creative mitts on the Diet Coke bottle and created an exclusive design include Marc Jacobs, Jean Paul Gaultier, and Karl Lagerfeld. It's a big honour to put your stamp on to that iconic bottle, and now British designer JW Anderson has been handed the baton. I went to the launch party of his design, held at Village Underground in Shoredtich, and had a brilliant night with Sasha and Lauren. The design (below) comes in two colourways - pink and blue - and takes inspiration from J.W. Anderson's signature knitwear print.
The party venue was fantastic, all kitted out in brand colour red and white balloons, and a gigantic centrepiece chandelier made from dozens of the bottles.
After drinking some Diet Coke from the new bottles (with red and white stripy straws, natch) we proceeded to have champagne, and some cocktails which came in a choice of red or white (do you see the theme?). The white one was not really my thing, a spicy ginger mule, whereas the red one (below) was insanely good - a berry mojito. Keep 'em coming!
The struggle to act nonchalant around so many celebs was real, though of course we managed it with professional dignity (just about... Lauren and I both wanted to go up to J.W. Anderson at one point and say good on ya! We didn't though, I'm sure he's gutted about that, lol). I thought I was good at spotting celebs, but Sasha's game was strong. Every now and then we'd just nudge each other and try to casually tip our head towards whoever was standing nearby - Chloe from Made in Chelsea, Vanessa from The Saturdays, Lauren Pope from TOWIE. Just look how radiant Jessica from TOWIE looks (below), finding a spotlight and getting right under it. Then there's Lucy Watson looking surprisingly short, even in heels, and Ashley from The Pussycat Dolls in a white lace ensemble.
The music was amazing all night, I was Shazaming like crazy and made a playlist the next day. The Mac Twins kicked off with the first set (below), framed on stage by J.W. Anderson's exclusive Diet Coke T-Shirt designs, and a video of him at work playing behind them.
Instead of the usual Photo Booth there was an actual photographer there with full studio lights and wind machine (woop!). You could touch your makeup up at the Diet Coke dressing table and try the fab Loreal Colour Riche lipsticks (which Diet Coke very kindly sent me a few months ago - they are SO good!). Then into your private photo shoot you go, with plenty of Diet Coke props, and your photo is printed out straight away. I caught J.W. Anderson himself having a go.
Are they saying that the bottles are gendered? Maybe it was a coincidence that the ladies loo only had the pink bottles on display - filled with cute flowers!
Back to the dancefloor and MTV's Laura Whitmore had taken over the decks (below), playing more amazing tunes. Lauren was hoping for some Taylor Swift, which sadly we didn't get, but everything else was grand. It was a real highlight for me that not only were there waiters going round with trays of drinks, if they didn't have what you wanted on their tray they would go and get it and bring it to you on the dancefloor. Any time I have ever imagined my dream nightclub in my head it has involved no queuing up at the bar for ages and missing good songs, and tonight my dream came true.
Before we left and headed off to Voodoo Ray's for some post-party pizza, there was time for some wall posing. I didn't do a wall shot so I've nicked a grainy photo from Lauren's Twitter that I'm in. Sorry about all the photo quality - it was really dark in there!
As we left we were given goody bags with one of each bottle designs, a limited edition notebook (which you can see bottom left in the photo of Laura Whitmore above), and one of the T-shirts. From 17th August limited edition packs featuring the notebook and bottles will go on sale exclusively in Harvey Nichols stores nationwide and online. Join in the conversation on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #DietCokeJWA, and keep an eye on @DietCokeGB for ways to get your hands on the packs!