Winnie Harlow and Rita Ora exude glamour in black gowns on the red carpet as stars gather for one of fashion’s biggest nights at the Vogue World Show

Supermodels, acting legends, royalty and some of the biggest names in show business gathered at the Theater Royal Drury Lane for the Vogue World Show.

Billed as a ‘multi-act celebration of the British performing arts’, Rita Ora and Winnie Harlow were the stars on the red carpet at the glittering one-off extravaganza on Thursday.

Model Winnie, 29, oozed glamor in a plunging black velvet dress with a statement white satin coat that brought plenty of drama with its puffy neckline, while Rita, 32, turned heads in a black fishtail dress, but it proved difficult to walk in.

Editor-in-chief Dame Anna Wintour arrived alongside British Vogue’s own editor, Edward Enninful.

The pair put on a united performance as they walked the red carpet together following reports of a power struggle between the two.

The Mail on Sunday reported that Enninful had hoped to one day replace Wintour, but the Vogue editor-in-chief is determined to stay put and ‘swat away all rivals like a fly’.

The bash comes just three months after the shock announcement that the British-Ghanaian former model and fashion stylist will step down as editor-in-chief of British Vogue after six years at the helm.

When he leaves in early 2024, Enninful will take on a “global advisory role” at Vogue, “with the freedom to take on broader creative projects.”

“He made no secret of the fact that he wanted the big job (global editor-in-chief), but he hit the glass ceiling and went as far as he could,” the Vogue insider explains.

‘He thought he would stay in London for a few years and then move to New York, but he now knows he will never get Anna’s job at Condé Nast.

‘Anna is the undisputed boss. She has defeated many rivals and continues to do so. She could swat him like a fly.”

A fashion source put it more bluntly: “I think Edward underestimated her power. When he was appointed editor, he got so much smoke up his ass that he couldn’t see his own pants anymore.’

And it was a busy week for Princess Beatrice of York and husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi as they headed to the party, having attended the V&A Chanel exhibition the night before.

Beatrice, 35, was joined on the red carpet by her younger sister Eugenie, 33. The Princess of York cut an elegant figure in a green silk dress for the star-studded party and added a touch of sparkle with diamond earrings.

Lady Victoria Hervey pulled out all the stops for the event as she arrived in a white embroidered lace dress with a dramatic train.

Thursday’s event will serve as a fundraiser for the British performing arts industry, with Vogue’s editor-in-chief Anna overseeing the proceedings.

The first Vogue World event featured a fashion show and street fair when it took place in New York’s meatpacking district in 2021, but the London ceremony is expected to be a grander affair.

The dress code is Opening Night, with the invitation revealing a West End stage decorated with blood-red velvet curtains.

Led by BAFTA and Olivier-winning director Stephen Daldry, show director Emily Burns and creative producer Fran Miller, together with the Vogue team, the evening will feature a wide range of performing arts.

Guests will watch opera, ballet and theater at the event which takes place at the start of London Fashion Week and performs to unveil and showcase talent.

Contributing designers for the guests and artists include 16Arlington, Ahluwalia, Burberry, Charles Jeffrey LOVERBOY, Erdem, Maison Margiela and SS Daley, among many other fashion giants.

Wintour previously claimed the performing arts industry is ‘under threat’, meaning all proceeds from ticket sales will go to a range of theater companies including the National Theatre, the Royal Opera House and the Royal Ballet.