The start of the Christmas season is marked by many things – one of which is the many sparkling Christmas trees that begin to pop up all over. One of the most exquisite, and most iconic in London, is the Claridge’s Christmas tree, the legendary Mayfair hotel, which has been designed by a different, notable fashion house or designer each year for over a decade.
Previous seasons have seen Jimmy Choo, Dior, Christian Louboutin and Karl Lagerfeld all dress the Claridge’s Christmas tree in their own unique style. This season, Claridge’s has announced that the tree will be designed by Louis Vuitton, a long-time friend of the hotel. The tree will be unveiled on 23 November – and said to be inspired by the art of travel, a theme that unites both the fashion label and the hotel.
The hotel and Louis Vuitton have a well established history – the two were both founded in 1854. The 1850s saw Monsieur Louis Vuitton himself appointed as the personal layetier (i.e. professional suitcase packer) to Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III. The empress made Claridge’s her winter home, and it was Louis Vuitton who packed her trunks for her stays.
The French label’s first London store opened several decadese later in 1885, around the corner from Claridge’s. Since then, the iconic Louis Vuitton trunk has been carried by guests who choose to stay at the hotel, and the Louis Vuitton luggage has continued its reputation as a symbol of jet-set luxury.
It’s not surprising that the two premium brands have collaborated given their centuries-old friendship, not to mention their modern-day appeal: Louis Vuitton recently became the first luxury brand to surpass £17 billion in sales, and Claridge’s completed an £800 million renovation last year, which featured building its first spa (now one of the most sought-after in London).
“What an honor it is to welcome such a house as Louis Vuitton to design our Claridge’s Christmas Tree this year,” said Claridge’s general manager, Paul Jackson. “Christmas is the most magical time of year for us here at the hotel and we look forward to seeing guests and visitors immerse themselves in Louis Vuitton’s world.”
