Can a Christmas tree be designed by clothing designers?
Written by Adél
Who would have ever said that a Christmas tree can play such a big role in the fashion industry and tourism? Designers should only focus on clothing or shoes and tourists come to London to see the London Eye, Tower Bridge, and Buckingham Palace, right? Let me prove you wrong! Even if you are not a big fan of huge Christmas celebrations, there is a hotel in London that will make your Christmas unforgettable and you will never want to leave the winter wonderland. Claridge's is the magical name.
The hotel annually invites the most influential designers from around the world to participate in creating spectacular holiday decorations. Not only the tree, but the whole of Claridge's lobby has changed every winter for 12 years. Let me introduce you to some of the most successful tree designs and my personal favourites from these creative minds.
Alber Elbaz for Lanvin, 2011
Alber literally brought to life the Christmas tree with its colourfulness and sparkle. He added silk figurines of his family and the hotel staff in front of the tree and instead of a star, he placed himself with angel wings on top of the tree.
Foto: Christmas tree 2011, Claridge's, https://www.claridges.co.uk/christmas/christmas-tree/
Christian Louboutin, 2019
Christian Louboutin was another person to embellish the hotel’s interior. The main point of his decoration was the so-called “Loubi express” which was a lovely nostalgic throwback to childhood. He did not forget to put the landscapes we observe and love the most during our train journeys. Trees covered with snow with presents underneath, and of course - reindeer. No designer on the top of the tree this time, only the crown. P.S. Everyone was welcome on board the express, served with a glass of champagne!
Foto: Claridge's Christmas tree 2009, https://www.thehoteltrotter.com/claridges-christmas-tree-2019-by-christian-louboutin-is-here/
Christopher Bailey for Burberry, 2015
A winter tree with a pinch of autumnal rain. This is something that Christopher Bailey introduced to us. The question is, how many umbrellas are needed to build a 6 meter tall Christmas tree?
100! Moreover, the sparkling beauty has a smart gadget, programmed to shine and glitter every time someone passes by. Not only the goldness itself, but another 77,000 lights attached to the construction create the bright effect.
Christmas tree 2015, Claridge's , https://www.claridges.co.uk/christmas/christmas-tree/
How about this year?
This Christmas the lucky designer was Kim Jones, a creative director of Dior's menswear. Not like the cozy, welcoming ambience of Christian Louboutin, Kim's tree evokes the cold and freezing wintertime. Yet, as with Louboutin, Kim Jones took us to our childhood memories with his magnificent snow globe. We cannot miss the lovely “star” representing Monsieur Dior's talisman, which led him to the decision of establishing Dior couture house in 1946.
Christmas tree 2021, Claridge's , https://www.claridges.co.uk/christmas/christmas-tree/
SOURCES
Claridge's Hotel, “Claridge's Christmas tree archive”,
https://www.claridges.co.uk/christmas/christmas-tree-archive/
The Hotel Trotter, “Claridge’s Christmas Tree 2019 by Christian Louboutin is here!”
https://www.thehoteltrotter.com/claridges-christmas-tree-2019-by-christian-louboutin-is-here/
Morwenna Ferrier, “Claridge's Burberry tree: what it says about Christmas 2015
.” The Guardian,
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/nov/16/claridges-burberry-tree-what-it-says-about-christmas-2015