Lovely in lace: Samantha Barks leads the glamour at Royal Academy in white but Florence Welch keeps it quirky in vintage velvet

By Emily Sheridan
Just 24 hours earlier, Samantha Barks had gone public with her new boyfriend David Gandy.
However, as she hit the town for a second night in a row, the Les Miserables star decided to go solo as she joined a host of celebrities at the Royal Academy of Arts party.
The petite actress, 22, looked chic in a fitted white lace number, highlighting her tiny waist with a black belt.

Lacy lady: Samantha Barks highlights her tiny waist in a belted white lace dress as she arrives at the Royal Academy of Arts summer preview in London on Wednesday night

She added a bit of colour with a pair of hot pink heels as she arrived at the gallery's Summer Exhibition 2013 Preview Party.
Her attendance at the party came after she and male model David, 33, debuted their romance at the Glamour Women Of The Year Awards on Tuesday night.

 

After accepting the Breakthrough Of The Year accolade by David, the pair didn't leave each others' sides all night.

She wore green velvet: Florence Welch stood out from the crowd with a vintage-style velvet number while Samantha showed off her tiny frame

Mingling: Samantha chatted to model Laura Bailey inside the academy

It was somewhat awkward as David's ex, The Saturdays singer Mollie King, was also in attendance wearing a very risque red dress.
Meanwhile, also wearing white on the warm evening at the Royal Academy was Italian socialite Nancy Dell'Olio, who wore a sheer number which left little to the imagination.
Actress Emilia Fox kept it simple in a white shift with black shoulder detailing, while model Yasmin Le Bon wore a summer dress as she arrived with her Duran Duran star husband Simon ,who also opted for the same shade.

Quirky: Florence ensured she stood out from the crowd as usual in the velvet frock with gaping back and plaited hair

Flamboyant: Florence talks to artist Grayson Perry

Matching: Model Yasmin Le Bon and husband Simon complemented each other in white

Singer Florence Welch of Florence And The Machine opted for a rather autumnal shade of green velvet.
Also in attendance was actress Romola Garai, who recently gave birth to her first child, in a black lace number.

However, some guests were clearly feeling extra summery and opted for bright colours for the event.

Mixing it up: Jasmine Guiness, Jackie St Clair and Jade Parfitt wore different colours and prints to brighten up proceedings

Mingling: Nick Rhodes turned up suited and booted as he brought his bright guest along for the evening

Sheer thing: Nancy Dell'Olio (left) flashed her legs in a sheer dress, while Emilia Fox looked chic in a white shift

Bit of culture: Actress Romola Garai in black (left) and Kristin Scott Thomas also made an appearance

Fancy seeing you here: Carl Michaelson, Jackie St Clair and Bruno Tonioli took the opportunity to catch up as they walked into the event on Wednesday afternoon

Ladies' night: Bip Ling, Clara Paget and Antonia Clark all dressed up showing off their styles at the bash

Model Laura Bailey looked stunning in a fuchsia maxi dress, while Scott & Bailey actress Lesley Sharp showed some leg in a multi-layered red dress.
The famous courtyard of the 19th century Burlington House - which houses the Royal Academy - was given a boost of colour with a very on-trend neon green carpet.
The RA party was a private view of the world's oldest and largest open art competition and exhibition, featuring 1,000 works from 13,000 submissions.

Having a browse: Yasmin and Simon Le Bon enjoyed the evening out together as they looked around the exhibition

Dressed to the nines: Annabelle Wallis, Gwendoline Christie and Talulah Harlech

Party time: Lisa Butcher looked in good spirits for the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition Private View on Wednesday evening

Colour injection: Model Laura Bailey (left) wore a striking fuchsia maxi, while Scott & Bailey star Lesley Sharp showed some leg in red

Night out: Actress and model Clara Paget (left) wore a patterned maxi, while Bianca Jagger opted for a black and white ensemble

Artistic touch: Tracey Emin wore a blue linen suit to the bash, which was held at Burlington House

Suited and booted: Dan Stevens and Jack Guinness did the men proud with their dapper styles on the evening.