Immortal: Marilyn Monroe's Centenary Dinner.
An evening for the woman behind the icon
On Wednesday 30 September 2026, Mumble Forum welcomed 60 guests to Tramp on Jermyn Street for The Marilyn: A Portrait, a private dinner and exhibition marking 100 years since the birth of Marilyn Monroe, in support of UN Women UK.
Under Tramp's painted skies and warm wood panelling, collectors, founders, cultural figures and friends gathered as part of London's pre-Frieze celebrations. Red roses ran the length of the tables, Piper-Heidsieck Marilyn Monroe's Limited Edition Cuvée Bru flowed from the moment guests arrived, and at the far end of the room hung the evening's centrepiece: San B's portrait of Marilyn, glittering beneath the lights.
It was a celebration of glamour, but the point of the night ran deeper. We came together to honour a woman the world often reduced to an image, and to raise support for the women and girls whose voices still struggle to be heard.
The unveiling of Marilyn Monroe: Immortal
As the lights dimmed, our founder Monique Hodgson opened the evening by asking why Marilyn still matters, and what her story means for women's rights today. Tabitha Morton, CEO of UN Women UK, followed with a powerful reminder of the charity's work and how the evening's art sale would support it.
Then came the moment the room had been waiting for. Artist San B presented Marilyn Monroe: Immortal, introduced by a short film on the making of the piece. Created over more than 1,000 hours with Swarovski crystals and diamonds, it is one of the most ambitious works of his career.
"To be able to share Marilyn Monroe: Immortal with you, in celebration of Marilyn's 100-year centenary, was an incredibly special moment for me. Beyond the crystals, diamonds and countless hours of work, what mattered most was being able to finally unveil it in a room filled with people who could share that moment with us." — San B
Neil Bookatz, founder of the Warhol Kennedy Residence, then introduced the collection and the artwork donated in support of UN Women UK. Francesca Speroni on behalf of EFG who kindly sponsored the evening spoke about the bank commitment to women and celebrating culture, followed by Hannah Tyler of Piper-Heidsieck who closed the speeches with the story of the house's Marilyn Monroe limited-edition cuvée, before the whole room raised a glass to Marilyn.
Champagne, dinner and the partners behind the night
Guests toasted with Piper-Heidsieck's Marilyn Monroe 100 Limited Edition Cuvée Brut, created in her honour. Dinner followed: focaccia with rosemary sea salt, artichoke and puntarelle salad, tuna tartare and beef carpaccio, then paccheri alla sorrentina and roast chicken. The evening ended on two delicate desserts, The Mini Strawberry and The Mini Lemon patiserie ,from Eclectic Collection and handmade chocolates from Raphia.
An evening like this is only possible with partners who share its purpose. Our heartfelt thanks go to:
Sponsors: EFG Private Banking, Piper-Heidsieck, WS Salon and Baroness Lidia Antunes
Partners: Tramp, Mozart Flowers, Raphia Chocolates, Cellcosmet, de-liver-ance and Mhouse Agency
Art: San B and the Warhol Kennedy Residence
Marilyn's legacy: claiming your own worth
The message of the night was simple: Marilyn Monroe was far more than the image the world chose to see.
In 1955, at the height of her fame, she walked away from her studio contract. She refused to keep playing the roles she was handed or to be paid less than the men around her. Instead she founded Marilyn Monroe Productions, becoming one of the first women in Hollywood to take ownership of her work, her name and her future. Long before we had the words for it, she was pushing against a glass ceiling.
A century after her birth, millions of women around the world are still underestimated and underpaid, and their voices still go unheard. That is why the evening supported UN Women UK, which directs vital funding to women-led organisations supporting women and girls in the most urgent circumstances, from conflict zones and humanitarian crises to communities facing deep-rooted inequality.
The story continues
The charity artwork: the piece donated from the Warhol Kennedy Collection has already received a generous £2,000 donation towards its £5,000 asking price, with all proceeds going to UN Women UK. To help reach the goal, contact Mumble Forum or the UN Women UK team.
Warhol Kennedy open day: on Thursday 8 October, 10am to 8pm, the Warhol Kennedy Residence at 190 Strand opens its doors for a private champagne reception and viewing of William John Kennedy's photographs of Andy Warhol and 1960s New York.
Support UN Women UK: donate at unwomenuk.org/donate.
Marilyn reminded us that worth is not given; it is claimed. Thank you to everyone who claimed a seat at the table with us, and helped pass that legacy forward.
