MAY 5
// THE KENTUCKY DERBY
Louisville, Kentucky, USA
“The Run for the Roses” is often described as the most exciting two minutes in sports. The Kentucky Derby is the first leg of the American Triple Crown. followed by the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes. Since the Kentucky Derby is considered the biggest race in the world, millions of people from around the world bet at various live tracks and online sportsbooks. As well as attracting a host of celebs each year from stage and screen, the derby also has regal appeal. As a direct descendent of England’s Epsom Derby, Churchill Downs’ Kentucky Derby has played host to British Royalty on four different occasions.
MAY 6
// MET GALA
New York, USA
If we’re being longwinded, the Costume Institute Gala at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art is the biggest event on the fashion fundraising calendar. However, if you refer to it as the ‘Met Gala’, we all know what to expect. Some of the hottest stars in music and film rub shoulders and grab headlines with show stopping outfits by renowned fashion designers, most of whom are in attendance also. Founded by publicist Eleanor Lambert, the benefit was first held in 1948 to encourage donations from New York’s high society. The night is centred on the theme of the new exhibition, Camp: Notes On Fashion. Previous themes included Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination; Manus x Machina, Punk: Chaos to Couture; and China: Through the Looking Glass.
MAY 14-15
// CANNES FILM FESTIVAL
Cannes, France
The 72nd edition of the iconic Festival de Cannes is about to get underway and it’s as much about “who are you wearing?” as it is “who will win?” Various VIP concierge packages are available to ensure access to the hottest ceremonies, premieres, and celebrity events. “In order to achieve this level of longevity, the Festival de Cannes has remained faithful to its founding purpose: to draw attention to and raise the profile of films, with the aim of contributing towards the development of cinema, boosting the film industry worldwide and celebrating cinema at an international level,” explained Thierry Frémaux, General Delegate since 2007.
MAY 20-25 // CHELSEA IN BLOOM
London, UK
Chelsea in Bloom is back – the world-class alternative floral art show that transforms Chelsea’s most iconic streets with breath-taking floral displays, announces this year’s theme of Under The Sea. Produced by Cadogan, in association with the Royal Horticultural Society, Chelsea in Bloom runs from the 20th-25th May and extends the Chelsea Flower Show out into the local neighbourhood. Over 60 shops, restaurants and hotels have already confirmed participation, from Sloane Street, Pavilion Road, Duke of York Square, and for the first year, the legendary King’s Road, to celebrate its re-launch in April 2019.
Each participating partner will be invited to interpret the ‘Under the Sea’ theme in their own unique way, competing for the coveted award of ‘Best Floral Display’, and Sloane Square will once more become home to a stunning central installation and information point for the week, with the opportunity to book a free rickshaw ride or walking tour to take in some of the highlights. Over the years, the competition has become a fixture in the London summer cultural calendar, attracting audiences from around the globe.
MAY 26
// 2019 MONACO GRAND PRIX
Circuit de Monaco
Since 1929, the world’s best Formula One drivers have been revving, thrilling and spilling around the tightly wound streets of Monaco. Pressed up against the Med, in one of Europe’s most glamorous cities, the teams build towards the main event with practise laps from May 23-25 before qualifying takes place May 25. By May 26, the entire principality of Monaco is at a standstill for the Grand Prix, with the eyes of the world fixed on one of the most important and prestigious automobile races in the world.