Claridge’s has kicked off the festive season in dramatic fashion with the unveiling of their Christmas Tree 2023 designed by long-time friend of the hotel, Louis Vuitton. The thirteenth year of the tradition and this year they’ve set the bar even higher.
Inspired by the art of travel
The art-deco lobby of Claridge’s is now home to something quite spectacular, and importantly, deeply festive. Its Christmas tree is a magnificent sculptural creation immersed within two large open, emblematic Malles Vestiaire or ‘Wardrobe Trunks’ towering on top of each other at the height of 5.2 metres.
Each signature trunk is adorned with Claridge’s travel stickers of yesteryear and an oversized Louis Vuitton luggage tag. As an avid collector and traveller, Gaston-Louis Vuitton (Louis Vuitton’s grandson) amassed hotel stickers throughout his life and would often place them onto his luggage as mementos.
Exuding a festive charm, the tree is composed of 15 vertically placed chrome repurposed trunks of varying heights that tower to create the silhouette of a traditional Christmas tree and reflect the Art Deco architecture. Scattered atop the silver trunks and amidst the snowy landscape of the tree are 21 Louis Vuitton Vivienne mascots, including Father Christmas himself, all found within Claridge’s distinguished black and white marbled lobby.
Historical connections
Claridge’s and Louis Vuitton have crossed paths throughout their respective histories, both having been founded in 1854. The 1850’s saw Monsieur Louis Vuitton himself appointed as the personal layetier to Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III. The Empress – at the same time – made Claridge’s her winter residence, famously receiving visits from Queen Victoria which led to the hotel being known as the annex to Buckingham Palace
It was Louis Vuitton who would have packed the Empress’s trunks himself for her stays at Claridge’s. The Maison’s first London store opened in 1885 around the corner from Claridge’s. Ever since, its legendary trunk – the quintessence of Louis Vuitton’s unique savoir-faire – has crossed the Mayfair hotel’s threshold in its thousands.
Coolest Christmas trees in London
This is the thirteenth year Claridge’s has invited a distinguished fashion house and friend to reinterpret the tree in its own distinctive style. An extraordinary tradition began in 2010, when the art deco hotel unveiled its first Christmas tree to be conceived by a famed fashion designer. Back then, Dior’s John Galliano debuted an unconventional, crooked, tropical tree complete with a model snow leopard and parrots.
Last year’s tree was named ‘The Diamond’ and designed by Sandra Choi for Jimmy Choo. The ‘tree’ was crafted from reflective mirrors and allowed guests to enter the structure and stand inside, while the sculpture was topped with a gigantic neon pink bow.
Other memorable creations in past years include Christian Louboutin Christmas train carriage, a ‘Tree of Love’ by Diane Von Furstenburg, which was six six-metres tall and adorned with over 8,000 hand-painted silver leaves and glass spheres and an upside down white tree which was masterminded by late fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld.
The Claridge’s Christmas Tree 2023 by Louis Vuitto will be on display in Claridge’s until the first week of January 2024 and all are welcome to visit.
Image credits: © Claridge’s
