The British Museum has revealed that its inaugural ball will have a pink theme, cost £2,000 a ticket and will allow its 800 guests to taste Silk Road-spiced dishes under the gaze of the Elgin Marbles.
The museum said the “Pink Ball’, which will be held next month, is taking its inspiration from ancient India, with care taken to ensure the colours will not be a “Barbie” hue.
Confirmed guests include the actress Kristin Scott Thomas; the film-maker Steve McQueen; the artists Tracey Emin and Grayson Perry and the fashion designer Erdem Moralioglu.
Last week The Times revealed plans for the ball, which the British Museum said would raise funds for its international partnerships, including its forthcoming display of the Bayeux Tapestry.
It has tried to downplay suggestions that it is an attempt to rival New York’s long-running Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which can cost $75,000 to attend. This year’s Met Gala in May raised $31 million for the Costume Institute.
