Gala Girl

Rising star Gala Gordon models Chanel’s Resort collection and tells us exactly what makes her parties rock

- Charlotte Moore

Gala Gordon is learning to tap dance. ‘Yeah, I just bought my first pair of shoes!’ she says gleefully, perched on a sofa in Chanel’s chic, Karl Lagerfeld-designed apartment overlooking the Place Vendôme in Paris.

Tap dancing seems somewhat at odds with the image of this cool, kittenish 25-year-old, who recently starred in Brit indie flick Kids In Love alongside long-time friend Cara Delevingne. ‘I’m not sure it’s going to be my party piece, but I’m definitely going to give it my best,’ she says, laughing. Gordon grew up in bohemian Notting Hill and was named after the wife of Salvador Dalí; her parents (now separated) both work in the arts, she explains. ‘I think creativity and giving everything a go have always been held up to me as important.’ She studied at Guildhall School of Music and Drama and, within moments of graduating, was plucked to play Irina in Chekhov’s Three Sisters at the Young Vic, alongside Vanessa Kirby and Mariah Gale – an experience she clearly cherised. ‘I’d grown up as an only child, but now I really feel like I have two girls who I know well enough to be my sisters, after working on such an intense project.’ Although she’s serious about her work, we’re here today to talk party prep and, of course, all things Chanel, who has dressed her for today’s shoot and recently invited her to attend the couture show in Paris. The tap dancing can wait till later.

Everyone dreams of throwing the best party ever. What makes it actually happen?