Montblanc, with its roots in the culture of writing, hosted an event to launch the second chapter of a global campaign that spotlights the inspirational power of libraries around the world as sources of knowledge, inspiration and discovery. The Lumley Library at the Royal College of Surgeons in London was the perfect backdrop to introduce The Library Spirit – Episode: London, a campaign that explores the city as a literary destination with its classic British timelessness, and punctuated by the subversive energy that animates it.

Guests including Karen Elson, Alison Toby, Suki Waterhouse, Callum Turner, Will Sharpe, Alex Pettyfer, and David Gandy joined Montblanc CEO Nicolas Baretzki and Montblanc Artistic Director Marco Tomasetta for the evening inside the historic library, surrounded by its rows of magnificent and rare books. Rather than a traditional red carpet, guests posed in front of a book wall with origami inspired shapes before enjoying drinks and live music. Reinforcing Montblanc’s connection to the universe of writing and words, calligraphy was projected in real-time onto the building’s modern black staircase.

Guests sat down for a dinner featuring a menu by chef Jackson Boxer using locally sourced, seasonal ingredients at tables covered in tablecloths also decorated with calligraphy art. During dinner, entertainment was provided in the form of a spoken word performance by Raven Smith and a live musical performance by one of the campaign’s main stars, model and musician Karen Elson.

Key pieces featured in the campaign were on display inside the library for guests to discover, including the Meisterstück Around The World in 80 Days Doué Classique Fountain Pen celebrating the celebrated classic literary adventure, the Soft Mini Bag inspired by the art of writing with its external writing instrument holder, the Soft Backpack and the Soft 24/7 Bag built for today’s on-the-go explorers, as well as the Montblanc 1858 Iced Sea watch with its timeless design codes and elegant grey dial evoking alpine ice.

Shot by world-renowned photographer Mariano Vivanco, The Library Spirit – Episode: London features actor James Norton, model, singer and author Karen Elson, and model Arthur Gosse. The visual story contrasts London’s classic elegance with the attributes that come from embracing the city’s alternative side, an unlikely union of elegance and unconventionality.