The Godfather of Street Art Launch

The stars turned out in their droves this week for the highly anticipated launch of the Vladmir Restoin Roitfeld and Andy Valmorbida in collaboration with Giorgio Armani exhibition The Godfather Of Street Art, which features work by acclaimed artist Richard Hambleton.

The launch, which took place at The Dairy on Wakefield Street, saw the unveiling of the striking collection in London following previous stints at New York, Milan and Cannes. The event saw an enviable guest list of high-profile individuals that included fashion designer Pam Hogg, Imogen Poots and Amber Le Bon.

Presenters Jameela Jamil and Reggie Yates made an appearance, while comedian David Walliams and new wife Lara Stone looked every inch the stylish couple throughout the soirée. Other fashion royalty included the always glamorous Roberta Armani, niece of Giorgio Armani, who happily posed for pictures alongside Editor-in-Chief of French Vogue, Carine Roitfed who proudly attended the launch in support of her son.

The exhibition is open to the public from Monday to Friday (10am to 7pm) at The Dairy, 7 Wakefield Street, London WC1 1PG.

The Godfather of Street Art

Richard Hambleton has experienced a notoriety like no other since he initially rose to fame in the early 1980's. Making his mark on the streets of New York, San Francisco, Berlin, Paris, London and Japan, Hambleton's visually arresting public art, most notably his Shadowman and Crime Scene series, has played heavy influence on street artists Blek Le Rat and Banksy.

As the last influential surviving member of the East Village Art Movement, Hambleton -who has often been heralded as the "Godfather of Street Art"- has led a relatively reclusive life for the past twenty years and yet has still managed to retain a constant presence on the art scene. With past works having been exhibited in the likes of The MoMa and The Houston Museum of Fine Art, Hambleton's latest venture sees him becoming the subject of new exhibition in collaboration with fashion power house Giorgio Armani. Curated by Vladimir Restoin Roitfeld and Andy Valmorbida, the exhibition shall feature 45 works (25 of which have never been seen before) and shall open at The Dairy on the 18th of November. Joining forces with Armani through a shared drive of "Individual passion and creativity", the exhibition shall continue until December 3rd.

Of the exciting collaboration Vladimir Restoin Roitfeld and Andy Valmorbida say: "Richard Hambleton’s brush stroke as an artist is genius and is in a league of its own. Most significantly, he is the most important and influential living street artist in the world today, with a story and career that is unparalleled. It is also a privilege for us to collaborate again with Giorgio Armani and we’re pleased to present it in such a prestigious space."