The London Radical Self Love Salon happened at Drink Shop Do, an adorable space in King’s Cross. Our room was crowned with an enormous disco ball, the walls flanked by tapestries of leopards and foxes, with hot pink roses stuffed into silver teapots. It was a dream: with tea service on mismatched crockery, fairy lights, and big jugs of lemonade, we couldn’t have asked for anything more.

Like all of the other Salons, it was a wonderful mix of international playgirls. There were plenty of English roses, of course, but also women from Australia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and Eastern Europe. They ran the gamut from actresses and energy healers to mothers and coaches. Everyone had a different reason for being there, but it turned out, we were all much more alike than we might have first thought!

Most amazing disco ball ever, otherwise known as the perfect place to set some intentions and make some big, big magic.

I wish I knew more about these wall hangings! They are so cool.

“Anyone who can invite you into a secret coven in a back room in Kings Cross underneath a gigantic disco ball, nourish you with cherry bakewell flavoured potions in fine china & red velvet cake, cast spells in a mini cauldron & send you out into the world with a bag full (and bra-full) of rose petals gets my vote everytime!” — Kate

“Gala’s Radical Self Love Salon is so empowering. Sharing your scariest fears and world-conquering dreams with a bunch of likeminded women was such a great feeling. It was a magical day, one to be recreated soon I hope!” — Charlotte

I’ve been working with Outi Harma’s Love Your True Colors deck in each Salon. It’s such a beautiful deck, and seeing all the participants have major lightbulb moments as they flip the cards over is an indescribable feeling.

Picking a card…

There was, of course, plenty of tea. This WAS in Britain, after all!

“I LOVED the Radical Self Love Salon! Since attending, I’ve been in a whirlwind of excitement, magic and radical self loving and feel open to so many new possibilities that I just hadn’t quite fully realised before. Being part of such a supportive group and being given new perspectives on so many things, as well as re-examining my own thoughts and sparking fresh realisations, has been awesome! And the magic! Oh, the magic!!” — Lizzie

Such cuties. These photos make my heart swell!

“After reading Gala’s blog for years and finally meeting and listening to her in person couldn’t have been better! The empowering and magical energy coming from her really made me love every second of the workshop. At first I was nervous, but I realised very early that there was really nothing to be afraid of, since the room was full of these adorable and lovely women who were all there for the same reason. Girls, please, attend the workshop if you can! Not only will you learn powerful techniques but also you’ll leave feeling magical, feminine and knowing what to do next on your RSL journey! It’s truly a unique experience.” — Annamária

Everyone at the Salon was given a customised notebook to jot down their thoughts, dreams and hopes…

“The rituals were fun and supremely satisfying, we burnt the things we want to leave behind in the cutest cauldron ever and showered ourselves with pink rose petals. The salon was a productive talking shop which combines group exercises, personal philosophies, useful techniques, self love rituals, the symbolic burning of sparkling paper and plenty of Gala Darling magic. It certainly left me feeling amazing.” — Cassy

“Going to The Radical Self Love Salon was one of the best things I’ve done all year. Being surrounded by people who have a desire to love themselves is beautiful and empowering. I really felt part of something, and the strength of that loving energy doesn’t seem to be going away. Every moment was magical. I can’t thank you enough!” — Laura

“In this Radical Self Love Salon Gala provides not only a magical and beautiful space, but a safe one. What the world needs is more people supporting each other and sharing their stories. In just a couple of hours everyone in the room opened up and brought in one of their challenges and then (as if by magic) everyone helped each other. This workshop is for anyone who feels like they are alone, anyone who feels like they are misunderstood and for anyone who wants to reclaim their own story.” — Louise

Just LOOK at these incredible women. They are all so beautiful, smart, funny, and charming. I feel like my heart might explode just thinking about it!

Having the chance to truly connect with women one-to-one is so incredible that it makes my whole body tingle. I have so many ideas about how I can keep developing my Radical Self Love Salons for the future, and I can’t wait to share my plans!

Thank you, gorgeous magic-makers, for an absolutely incredible day. I love you!

Intrigued? Want to join me for a Radical Self Love Salon in New York City? The next one is in two weeks, on Sunday the 24th of August in Manhattan. I’d love to see you there! And if you’d like me to come to your city, be sure to let me know!

Smooch-o-rama,

Photographs by the lovely Lydia Stamps. Thank you so much, babe!