An opulent 19th-century estate, once a familial abode, was transformed into a fantastical realm with towering inflatable mushrooms, sumptuous banquet tables laden with lobster and oysters, and elegantly attired revelers dancing amidst stained-glass windows while sipping Moët through straws.
Accompanied by a rendition of “Land of Hope and Glory” and a grand fireworks display, the guest list boasted Hollywood luminaries, fashion icons, and royalty. While reminiscent of scenes from the satirical masterpiece Saltburn, this was, in fact, how socialite Lady Lola Bute elected to commemorate her 25th birthday last weekend.
Emerald Fennell might glean inspiration for a sequel from this lavish affair, as the Bute family is renowned for their extraordinary celebrations. Held at the Gothic Revival-style Mount Stuart House on the Scottish Isle of Bute, the ancestral seat of the Marquess of Bute—currently Lola’s half-brother, chef Jack Dumfries—the event attracted hundreds of guests, among them Sienna Miller, Poppy Delevingne, and Princess Olympia of Greece.
Transforming the historic venue into a festival-inspired extravaganza, the celebration featured whimsical touches such as teepee tents and a photo booth, alongside the unexpected sight of giant inflatable mushrooms juxtaposed against the grandeur of the Category A listed building. Lady Lola, exuding Glastonbury vibes, donned a playful ensemble of jeans, a shaggy pink fur jacket, and a provocative top with “WET” emblazoned across it.
For the formal affair, Lola chose a bespoke silver minidress crafted by Annie Doble, using vintage Egyptian fabric from the 1920s. Doble’s label, Annie’s Ibiza, renowned for its sheer, sparkly, and luxurious creations, counts celebrities like Kate Moss and Jeff Bezos’s fiancée, Lauren Sánchez, among its clientele.
The Bute family’s penchant for high fashion is unsurprising, considering Lola’s mother, Serena Bute, is a model-turned-designer, and her sister, Jasmine, aka Jazzy de Lisser, is a model and actress. The multigenerational guest list included luminaries like make-up mogul Charlotte Tilbury and Princess Olympia of Greece and Denmark, reflecting the family’s wide-reaching connections.
This extravagant celebration comes in the wake of personal tragedies, notably the loss of Lola’s father, Johnny, to leukemia, and the untimely deaths of her boyfriend Kai Schachter and friend Ila Scheckter. Yet, amidst grief and adversity, Lola has channeled her energies into charitable endeavors, founding the Eternity Movement to combat stigma surrounding mental health, suicide, and addiction.
From family legacy to social responsibility, the Bute family’s saga is as multifaceted as their lavish parties, showcasing resilience, compassion, and a commitment to effect positive change.
