Champagne, Lookalikes, and a Dash of Mischief: Alison Jackson’s Fake Truth Opens at Baglioni Hotel

Elena Leo is the Arts & Lifestyle Editor of Ikon London Magazine.

Last night, the stylish Baglioni Hotel became the perfect setting for intrigue and glamour as Alison Jackson’s Fake Truth exhibition launched with a sparkling reception.

Guests sipped champagne at a busy bar, rubbing shoulders—or so they thought—with the likes of Kate Middleton, Boris Johnson, and Rishi Sunak. But take a closer look, and you’d see the trickery at play. These weren’t the real celebrities; they were expertly styled lookalikes, just like the ones Jackson uses in her acclaimed artwork. A BAFTA-winning photographer and provocateur, Jackson is famous for creating staged, fictional moments that look so real, they could fool even the sharpest eye.

Her Fake Truth exhibition, now on display at Baglioni Hotel, features 15 of her most iconic works. Through the use of lookalikes and meticulous attention to detail, Jackson concocts scenarios that are at once absurd and captivating: the late Queen Elizabeth walking her corgis outside a William Hill betting shop, Marilyn Monroe going shopping with Princess Diana, or Donald Trump sharing a jaccuzi with Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un.

The Royals, Celebrity Icons, and a Few Laughs
One of the exhibition’s crowd favorites is a cheeky snapshot of the late Queen, Kate Middleton and Camilla Parker Bowles under hairdryers in a retro salon—a scene that’s so improbable it’s hilarious, yet so well-staged it feels just believable. Whether it’s Donald Trump celebrating his election win or the Queen sneaking out for a bit of “normal life,” Jackson’s work invites viewers to question what we believe and why we’re so drawn to these imagined private moments.

It’s this playful blur between reality and fantasy that has made Jackson’s work both controversial and adored. By spotlighting our obsession with celebrity culture, she reveals how we project stories, emotions, and meaning onto public figures—whether they’re real or merely lookalikes brought to life through her lens.

Head to Baglioni this week, have a drink, and see for yourself how easily reality and illusion can be blurred. Just don’t be surprised if you find yourself waving at “Kate” or trying to chat with “Boris.”

Catch the Exhibition Carola Syz Presents Alison Jackson Fake Truth.