5 stylish designer Christmas trees in London
This holiday season_ fashion brands and designers aren_t just content with taking over the windows at luxury department stores but instead dressing Christmas trees for luxury hotels across London. Claridge_s unveiled a 16-foot tree decorated with bows designed by Burberry_s Daniel Lee_ while The Londoner embraced the ethereal aesthetic of Susan Fang_ and One Hundred Shoreditch brought a monstrous touch to the festive season with Charles Jeffrey.
Claridge_s – Daniel Lee and Burberry
Luxury Mayfair-based hotel Claridge_s has a long tradition of tapping fashion designers and brands to dress its Christmas tree_ with everyone from Karl Lagerfeld_ Alber Elbaz_ and Louis Vuitton bringing their aesthetic to the hotel_s Art Deco lobby.
This year_ the hotel selected Daniel Lee_ chief creative officer of Burberry_ who has designed a Christmas tree celebrating craft_ heritage_ and festive wonder_ decorating the 16-foot magnificent tree with vibrant bows crafted from surplus Burberry fabrics. The tree is also covered in wild foliage and thistle_ Scotland_s national flower_ as a nod to Burberry_s connection to the Highlands_ where its cashmere scarves are produced_ as well as brass bells_ inspired by the house_s Equestrian Knight Design_ and baubles handmade by a British glassblower. Sitting at the top is a gold crown_ while the base features oversized floor-standing chess pieces and cosy cushions and blankets.
Lee said in a statement: “Claridge_s has always felt like home from the moment you walk through its doors_ a true symbol of elegance and British heritage where I_ve enjoyed many special moments over the years.
“Being invited to design the hotel_s annual Christmas tree is a huge honour. I saw it as an opportunity to celebrate tradition and togetherness - expressing the season through vibrant colours and rich textures. Christmas is my favourite time of the year.”
The traditional tree is part of a wider festive takeover at the hotel_ which also includes a collaboration with Claridge_s on their annual festive bauble. Each hand-painted design features the Claridge_s bell boy teddy bear dressed in a classic Burberry trench and scarf_ uniting two heritage British brands in a collectible piece_ as well as the hotel doormen wearing iconic Burberry check scarves to welcome guests and visitors. A check pattern also appears on room key holders_ as well as in the lift_ which has been redesigned with a plush sofa and cushions.
The Londoner – Susan Fang
The Londoner_ the boutique hotel by Leicester Square_ has unveiled a Christmas tree in collaboration with fashion designer Susan Fang_ entitled _The Crystal Dream_. The Christmas tree brings Fang_s signature dreamlike world to The Londoner_s festive season_ transforming the traditional tree into a poetic_ futuristic masterpiece illuminated with an iridescent glow.
The sculptural all-white installation draws inspiration from the feeling of “air-flora fantasy_” and combines transparent spheres with oversized 3D-printed flowers_ which shimmer with soft blush hues and an iridescent glow to evoke the sensation of stepping into a crystalline dreamscape as each bauble seems to breathe and shimmer as if made of pure light.
The Goring – Lulu Guinness
The Goring has partnered with British fashion and accessories brand Lulu Guinness for its Christmas festivities this season to design the hotel_s two trees. Lulu Guinness worked with creative studio Makerie on the playful and whimsical festive displays. The _London Calling_ Christmas tree in reception has been wrapped in a winding scarlet ribbon with Lulu Guinness_s signature red lips_ while miniature London post-boxes and phone boxes line the bottom.
While around the corner_ the _In Bloom_ Christmas tree creates a festive garden of pinks_ yellows_ and deep burgundies_ complete with Lulu Guinness_ florist baskets and a few of The Goring_s beloved sheep nestled beneath the branches.
Each decoration_ from tiny telephone booths to clusters of winter blooms_ was handcrafted in England by Makerie Studio using only paper and card.
100 Shoreditch – Charles Jeffrey
East London hotel 100 Shoreditch has gone for an unconventional Highland Christmas tree “gone wrong” designed by Scottish designer Charles Jeffrey. More art than traditional_ the _Monstrous Highland Tree_ makes an impact as Jeffrey constructs a tree wrapped up for delivery.
"In the Highlands_ Christmas trees aren_t gentle_” explains Jeffrey. “They are unruly things_ drunk_ loud_ and full of bad ideas. When one is cut down_ it_s too dangerous to leave in the open. Tradition says they must be sealed in cardboard_ shipped north_ and tamed by Santa_s workforce before they_re allowed anywhere near polite company.
“This one didn_t make it. It broke free on the way and found its way to One Hundred Shoreditch - still boxed_ still half alive_ still swearing!”
The Maine Mayfair – Annie_s Ibiza
The Maine Mayfair on Hanover Square has unveiled a Christmas tree designed by Annie_s Ibiza_s founder and designer_ Annie Doble_ celebrating the shared spirit of glamour and celebration. The Christmas tree offers an opulent festive wonderland_ with bows and baubles decorated with recycled textile off-cuts from Annie's Ibiza's holiday collection and intricately hand-beaded to illustrate key dresses from the brand.
Commenting on the inspiration_ Doble said in a statement: “We wanted to capture all the magic and whimsical elements of Annie_s designs_ using inspiration from bestsellers and our newly launched exclusive Christmas Capsule.”
