LONDON — Jannik Sinner is the man of the hour.
The Italian tennis player ranks as the world number one on the ATP tennis list and to celebrate competing in his fifth consecutive Wimbledon Championships, he threw an intimate cocktail party and dinner at Claridge’s in London.
As the city hushed down for the weekend, with many heading to the Glastonbury Festival, Sinner drew in a starry crowd including Paul Mescal, Erin Doherty, Fionn O’Shea, Joe Keery, Naomi Ackie and George MacKay.
Fionn O’Shea and Paul Mescal
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The tennis star swapped his Wimbledon whites for an olive green Gucci ensemble.
“I feel very privileged and honored to be an ambassador of such a prestigious Italian brand known for its class, elegance and innovation,” said Sinner. “Thanks to my partnership with Gucci, I’m starting to get to know the world of fashion and all the hard work behind the beautiful products we see on the catwalk and in the stores.”
The tennis player has been spending some time in London training ahead of his first match on Monday against Luca Nardi.
The British summer may be very well on its way, but it was a school night for many of the guests, who confessed to a jam-packed schedule.
Erin Doherty and Naomi Ackie
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Irish actor Fionn O’Shea, with freshly dyed blond hair, said he was sneaking off to Glastonbury for the first time before diving into work. He’s in the midst of shooting “The Queen of Fashion,” a biopic on the life of iconic fashion editor Isabella Blow that will wrap up at the end of summer.
The actor will be playing Irish milliner Philip Treacy in the film, directed and written by Alex Marx.
“It’s been really great so far and I’ve got to spend so much time with Philip, which is so rare. Philip and I have been making hats together, which has been one of the most special experiences of my life,” said O’Shea.
“He’s been making the hats and I’ve been watching mostly. Philip is a genius. He’s so talented, creative and passionate. It’s been a real honor getting to spend that time in his studio to watch him work. He will say that I made more of the hats than I did, because he’s very humble and kind,” he added.
George MacKay
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O’Shea has been dabbling in the world of biographies. His next project set to come out later this year is Netflix’s “House of Guinness,” based on the family behind the Guinness brewing company.
In portraying real people on the screen, it has meant transforming from one role to another. “This is my first time going to something with my hair being a different color. Myself and my stylist Felicity Kay chose this look together. I just thought the clothes were so beautiful and I felt confident in them, also the coloring is really good, which is always nice,” he said of his brown trousers and black polo shirt.
British actor Erin Doherty will also be spending her summer vacation on set. She’s going to be starring in “California Avenue” opposite Helena Bonham Carter and Bill Nighy about complex family dynamics.
Paul Mescal, Joe Keery and Fionn O’Shea.
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“Preparing for a role is my favorite part of the job. I love people and getting a book that I can tuck into. The series is loosely based on the director and writer Hugo Blick’s life, which is great because I get to pick his brain about it,” she said.
Even though Doherty will be missing out on summer plans, she expects to take an early Christmas break.
The actor is no stranger to fashion. She played a young Princess Anne in Netflix’s “The Crown.”
“I love playing with fashion. It’s such a playful opportunity to just let your creative side run wild and for me, what I wear changes on a daily basis. I had a cruise in the Gucci store and picked something that has a nod to going out, but it’s also a little understated,” said Doherty.
As of next week, the Gucci store on New Bond Street will be taken over by the brand’s tennis line, which includes a collaboration with the American tennis racket brand Head.
Let the games begin, in store and on court at Wimbledon.
