The McCartneys gathered to support Elton John and his husband David Furnish at the launch of their photography exhibition, Fragile Beauty, at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. The event took place on Tuesday and featured Sir Paul McCartney, 81, and his daughters Stella, 52, and Mary, 54.
Fragile Beauty showcases over 300 pieces by 140 photographers selected from Elton John and David Furnish's extensive collection, which includes more than 7,000 works. The exhibition covers the period from the 1950s to the present day, with photographs by renowned artists such as Irving Penn, Richard Avedon, and Herb Ritts. It also features portraits of iconic celebrities like The Beatles, Frank Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe, and Chet Baker, as well as significant moments in history.
Elton John, aged 77, arrived at the event in a bright pink suit and later changed into a burgundy suit. He posed for photos with Sir Paul and his daughters. Other notable attendees included Nick Grimshaw, Russell Tovey, and Jackie St Clair.
Newell Harbin, director of the couple's collection, described the scale of the exhibition as overwhelming but wonderful. Curator Duncan Forbes explained that the name Fragile Beauty reflects Elton John's ethos. The exhibition begins with elegant fashion photos from the 1950s and moves into edgier territory with works by Robert Mapplethorpe and Nan Goldin.
Fragile Beauty will be open to the public from October 14, 2023, until January 5, 2025. Elton John and David Furnish frequently loan photographs from their collection for exhibitions, including a 2016 show at Tate Modern. The couple began their collection when Elton got sober in the 1990s, trading his addiction to alcohol for what he describes as "a much healthier addiction."