<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n2017 – KARL LAGERFELD<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\nSo this one is my absolute favourite, because it\u2019s a Christmas tree, but upside down. Even my limited artistic appreciation gets that. The creation of fashion world icon and oddball Bond-villain Karl Lagerfeld, 2017\u2019s tree was spectacular. Apparently inspired by Lagerfeld\u2019s childhood memories (presumably he grew up in Australia), the 16-foot inverted tree, roots and all, was topped off with a large mirrored star while sheepskin rugs (Icelandic, no less) were strewn at the base to suggest recent snowfall. Love it, but don\u2019t try this at home unless you want to spend December hoovering up pine needles.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/span><\/p>\n2016 – SIR JONY IVE & MARC NEWSON<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\nJony Ive is the Chief Design Officer at Apple and has basically designed everything from your laptop to the phone in your pocket so when he stepped forward to design the Claridge\u2019s tree presumably there was only one stipulation: make sure the battery doesn\u2019t randomly die at around 4pm. A collaboration between Ive and Marc Newson, along with set designer Michael Howells, they created more than just a tree, but an immersive experience. Their series of 12-foot high light boxes, along with cast models of Scots pine was innovative and incredibly pretty.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/span><\/p>\n2015 – CHRISTOPHER BAILEY FOR BURBERRY<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\nDespite being a British institution, until 2015 Claridge\u2019s hadn\u2019t had their tree designed by a British designer yet (this is their line, at least, but seems to overlook John Galliano, perhaps it\u2019s because he did it for Dior). Either way, they put that all right by bringing in mac specialists Burberry, and their then-CEO Christopher Bailey. The man credited with taking the British brand global celebrated our culture in the only way possible: with brollies. 100 of them, each one finished in bespoke gold and silver metallic fabric. And excitingly (geek alert) each one was laden with thousands of motion-sensor lights, each programmed to sparkle as guests walked by. Pretty cool, huh?<\/span><\/p>\n<\/span><\/p>\n2014 – DOLCE & GABBANA<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\nFinally, a proper tree, am I right? This time Dolce and Gabbana were taking on the Claridge\u2019s Christmas Tree mantle. Proving they had a far less disturbed childhood than Karl Largerfeld, the tree was inspired by their childhood memories and aimed to celebrate \u2018children of the world\u2019.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/span><\/p>\n2012 – KALLY ELLIS OF MCQUEENS<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\nKally Ellis of McQueens was responsible for \u201cForest Murmurs\u201d, a rather exquisite tree. The creation featured magnolia branches and lichen moss and was studded with crystal and emerald jewel eggs in white, gold and silver which was meant to reflect the art deco beauty of the iconic hotel.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/span><\/p>\n2011 – ALBER ELBAZ FOR LANVIN<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\nThe former creative director at Lanvin put together 2011\u2019s tree, intended as \u2018a dreamworld of colour and fantasy\u2019 (isn\u2019t that all Christmas trees?). Perhaps the most bizarre aspect was the traditional angel, which wasn\u2019t very traditional at all but instead Elbaz had, rather humbly, substituted it for a silk figurine of himself, complete with his trademark bowtie and glasses.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/span><\/p>\n2009 – JOHN GALLIANO FOR DIOR<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\nAnd this is where it all began. 2009 was the first year that Claridge\u2019s had decided to go with a famous designer for their Christmas tree. They plumped for Dior\u2019s star John Galliano who set the standard that subsequent designers would follow. His haunting twist on tradition was a tropical tree along with a snow leopard, dragon flies and parrots, which, according to Claridge\u2019s website, is \u2018echoing Claridge\u2019s art deco surroundings\u2019. Not sure how many snow leopards are prowling round the hotel.<\/span><\/p>\nBook your stay or visit for afternoon tea at www.claridges.co.uk\/<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"With Jimmy Choo designing the 2022 Christmas tree to sit […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":12752,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,733],"tags":[295,72,184,62,102,1066,37,1360,1359],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
THE MOST STYLISH CLARIDGES CHRISTMAS TREES<\/title>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n