Charli XCX, Caroline Polachek and Asake talk music and style at GQ and Christian Louboutin’s pre-Brit Awards dinner

Two hours before arriving at GQ and Christian Louboutin’s pre-Brit Awards dinner, Charli XCX dropped a propulsive new club track, “Von Dutch”, the first single from her forthcoming album Brat, which is set to land this summer. “It’s completely different from my last album, Crash – that was a very pop-leaning record,” she said last night at Chiltern Firehouse. “I really wanted to go back to my roots, to the club, which is where I started. I just need that energy right now.” Still, when asked her favourite place to club in London, the singer replied with a perfect quip: “Oh, I like house parties.”

Last night, at storied celebrity haunt Chiltern Firehouse, Christian Louboutin and GQ’s deputy global editorial director Adam Baidawi cohosted an intimate pre-Brit Awards dinner to celebrate music and style.

These two concepts have always been linked for Louboutin, who drew inspiration from Parisian music-hall dancers in his early days. “Prince and Tina Turner are two people who are so attached to my personal story and beginning,” he said. These days, the designer can count Beyoncé and Taylor Swift as loyal clients, having created custom shoes for both singers for their latest tour wardrobes.

Dozens of red soles weren’t the only notable appearance of his trademark colour on the night, with crimson mushroom lamps and amaryllis blooms warming up the fireside tables. Was it the most red-bottomed shoes that Chiltern Firehouse had ever seen in one night? “Possibly,” said one bartender, “but not definitely.”

Four members of the rock band The Last Dinner Party were in attendance, fresh from winning the prestigious rising star Brit Award. They’re currently in the middle of touring, travelling everywhere from New York City to Glasglow, but are all London-based and London-biased. “Our favourite place to play in London is the Roundhouse,” said lead singer Abigail Morris. Favourite place to party? “Also the Roundhouse.”

Morris asked Yungblud, whom the band met a few months ago, what his favourite place to play would be. “Australia,” he said. “Oh, fucking hell, sorry, in London. Do you know what? I don’t know. I’ve played every single venue in Camden except the Roundhouse.”

Asake won best-dressed for the night, putting together an iced tuxedo look that paired Simone Rocha’s pearl-encrusted blazer and pearl-string collar with his trademark diamonds and grill. He topped it all off with Louboutin’s slick, patent-leather Chambelimoc loafers. “Music is a feeling that sometimes we don’t need to understand,” said the Nigerian Afrobeats artist. “My style reflects the feeling of my music, the connection to the sound, and the freedom to move. It’s energetic and connects with who you are.” Asake was recently nominated for a Grammy, has just won a MOBO, and is up for the Brit Award for international artist of the year. Needless to say, we’re rooting for him.

Despite the rain, Dizzee Rascal made it out, for one thing and one thing only: “The free food,” he joked. “It’s nice to come out for something swanky. And I’m a fan of Louboutin, it’s a bit iconic. And GQ’s the epitome of style, innit.”

Guests sipped cocktails made with 1800 Tequila and Silent Pool Gin, and flutes of Bollinger. At one point, singer Caroline Polachek wondered if “the champagne had been made from grapes crushed by red-soled stilettos.” Only one way to find out: she tossed back a tall glass and slid into a velvet booth with Charli XCX.