The Queen's Birthday Party

A bridge between innovation and tradition

Innovation and sustainability are Ambassador Chaplin's guests of honour at the traditional reception for the Queen's Birthday Party

During the event the new Made in UK style was on show

• Exhibition of sustainable fashion: Green is The New Black: UK Fashion Goes Eco-Trendy 

• Art exhibition preview: Nice Work, painting exhibition by the British School at Rome 

• Music: the young talent of  Paloma Faith live
  

• Sustainable gastronomy: from London… at zero food miles!

This year's event marks the launch in Italy of the Foreign Office's communication campaign See Britain Through My Eyes

An event focussing on innovation and sustainability, Made in the UK, was held on 9 June at Villa Wolkonsky on the occasion of the Queen's Birthday Party. 

It was marked by many novelties, and this year's event at the residence of the British Ambassador Edward Chaplin, saw the launch in Italy of the Foreign Office's worldwide communication campaign -See Britain Through My Eyes- intended to promote the most innovative and creative aspects of modern, sustainable Britain, in the run-up to the London Olympic Games in 2012.

Precisely because the occasion is so closely tied to the traditional British identity, the British Embassy wanted to make the programme this year a perfect bridge between tradition and innovation.

During the evening over 600 guests including diplomats, politicians, businessmen and representatives from the Italian and British media, were able to enjoy the beauty of Villa Wolkonsky, a grean oasis just a few steps away from San Giovanni, following an itinerary of eco-compatible fashion, art, innovative music and sustainable gastronomy. This made for a very enjoyable way to savour and learn about the new style Made in UK. 

We came across Richard Owen, the Times correspondent in Rome, and asked him what he  thought of the event this year.

Among the novelties this year was a performance by Paloma Faith, a versatile young British musician, and her band. As a divergence from the customary musical offering, this dynamic London artist sang several tracks from her album "Do You Want the Truth or Something Beautiful?"

The central theme of the evening in the elegant diplomatic residence was an exhibition of 'eco-chic' fashion, with creations by the most innovative and creative UK fashion designers who have made sustainability the watchword of their trade.

The sustainable fashion show "Green is The New Black: UK Fashion Goes Eco-Trendy" will continue until the end of June at the Rinascente store in Piazza Fiume and then in July in a prestigious location in the fashion week organised by AltaRoma.

The traditional tasting of British food and spirits was accompanied this year by a concept of sustainable gastronomy. The menu of the evening was chosen by giving preference to local products and dishes from the Lazio region, putting a premium on seasonal products and those produced at 'zero food miles'.

Caterpillar, the popular Rai Radio2 programme, broadcast live from the residence covering all the events and reporting on innovation in the UK.