Cover (From left) Naomi Campbell, Isha Ambani, co-chair of the inaugural British Museum Ball 2025 (also known as Pink Ball) and Edward Enninful attend the ball in London, England. (Photo by Dave Benett/Getty Images for the British Museum)
(From left) Naomi Campbell, Isha Ambani, co-chair of the inaugural British Museum Ball 2025 (also known as Pink Ball) and Edward Enninful attend the ball in London, England. (Photo by Dave Benett/Getty Images for the British Museum)
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Around 800 guests, including Mick Jagger, Naomi Campbell and Rishi Sunak, gathered at London’s British Museum for the inaugural Pink Ball, a star-studded fundraiser celebrating Indian heritage
On Saturday, 18 October 2025, the British Museum hosted its inaugural Pink Ball—a glamorous fundraising gala that’s being hailed as London’s answer to New York’s Met Gala. The theme for 2025 was pink, drawing inspiration from the colours and light of India, presented in conjunction with the British Museum’s critically acclaimed exhibition, Ancient India: Living traditions.
Chaired by arts patron and businesswoman Isha Ambani, together with British Museum director Dr Nicholas Cullinan, the British Museum Ball promises to be one of the most distinguished new fixtures in London’s cultural season.
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What is the Pink Ball?
Above M.I.A performs at the British Museum Pink Ball (Photo by Dave Benett/Getty Images for the British Museum)
M.I.A performs at the British Museum Pink Ball (Photo by Dave Benett/Getty Images for the British Museum)
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The Pink Ball is a grand fundraising event, whose goal is to shine a spotlight on the UK capital and reinforce its role as a global centre of creativity and culture. The first ball, held in British Museum, was attended by 800 guests, with a table of 10 guests costing £20,000
The sold-out event transformed the museum’s iconic Great Court and surrounding galleries into a pink-hued wonderland, with guests dressed in shades ranging from blush to magenta, all while raising vital funds for the museum’s international partnerships, such as with the Kumasi Palace in Ghana and the History Museum of Armenia.
Who co-chaired the Pink Ball?
Above Isha Ambani and Nicholas Cullinan are the co-chairs of the Pink Ball (Photo by Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty Images for the British Museum)
Isha Ambani and Nicholas Cullinan are the co-chairs of the Pink Ball (Photo by Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty Images for the British Museum)
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The debut British Museum Ball—known as the Pink Ball—was chaired by arts patron and businesswoman Isha Ambani, together with director Dr Nicholas Cullinan OBE and the Trustees of the British Museum. Ambani, who belongs to one of the richest families in the world, is also the driving force behind the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) in Mumbai, a landmark institution that has redefined India’s cultural landscape.
Dr Cullinan has served as the director of the British Museum from June 2024. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the 2024 New Year Honours for his services to art.
Who made it to the VIP guest list?
Above Dame Kristin Scott Thomas attends the British Museum Ball 2025 (Photo by Dave Benett/Getty Images for the British Museum)
Dame Kristin Scott Thomas attends the British Museum Ball 2025 (Photo by Dave Benett/Getty Images for the British Museum)
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The star-studded Pink Ball saw attendance by global icons including Nita Ambani, Naomi Campbell, Miuccia Prada, Kristin Scott Thomas, Antony Gormley, Mick Jagger, Steve McQueen, Janet Jackson, Lady Kitty Spencer, the former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty, and many more.
Best-dressed guests
Isha Ambani
Above Isha Ambani poses with her mother Nita Ambani at The British Museum (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)
Isha Ambani poses with her mother Nita Ambani at The British Museum (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)
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Ambani stood out in a custom pink satin jacket and column skirt by renowned Indian design house Abu Janu Sandeep Khosla. Handwoven with intricate embroidery, pearls, sequins, and crystals, the ensemble paid tribute to both tradition and the evening’s pink theme.
Nita Ambani
Above Nita Ambani pairs her sari with gorgeous emeralds
Nita Ambani pairs her sari with gorgeous emeralds
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Entrepreneur and Isha’s mother, Nita Ambani, draped in an exquisite powder pink Kanjivaram sari, from the Indian town of Kanchipuram. Expertly crafted from the finest mulberry silk and embellished with pure gold zari, it radiated timeless elegance. The corset blouse was styled by designer Manish Malhotra.
Naomi Campbell
Above Naomi Campbell at the Pink Ball at The British Museum (Photo by Lia Toby/Getty Images)
Naomi Campbell at the Pink Ball at The British Museum (Photo by Lia Toby/Getty Images)
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Supermodel Naomi Campbell was a complete scene-stealer, arriving on the pink carpet in a Union flag dress, with the red replaced with pink, in a nod to the Pink Ball.
Akshata Murty
Above (From left) Akshata Murty and Rishi Sunak attend the inaugural British Museum Ball (Photo by Mike Marsland/WireImage)
(From left) Akshata Murty and Rishi Sunak attend the inaugural British Museum Ball (Photo by Mike Marsland/WireImage)
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Indian heiress and businesswoman Akshata Murty dazzled in a pink and red striped gown, but it was her head jewellery—a modern take on the traditional maangtika—that really captured our attention. Gorgeous!
Suchetana Mukhopadhyay is the Digital Content Manager for Tatler Hong Kong. In this role, she leads all digital editorial and branded content on Tatler Hong Kong’s website, from brainstorming story ideas with the writers to editing and publishing the articles, and from managing the overall content flow to driving search engine optimisation. She also leads the beauty content at Tatler Hong Kong and across the region, and is always looking to champion diversity through her articles. She was previously with Cedar Hong Kong and Gafencu, and freelanced for the South China Morning Post, Campaign Asia-Pacific, CNN and more. Contact her here.
