Photos show stunning designer Christmas displays at luxury hotels around the world
Riggs Washington, DC/Hotel de Russie/The Charles Hotel
- Hotels around the world collaborate with luxury brands for their Christmas decorations.
- Some trees, like the one at Mandarin Oriental Jumeira in Dubai, have been designed by jewelers.
- Other hotels have tapped artists like Conrad Shawcross and fashion brands like Jenny Packham.
It has been a tough quarter for luxury labels like LVMH and Kering as key consumer markets like China pull back amid a globally unsteady economic environment.
But there's still plenty of reason for cheer ahead of the festive season.
The once fashion-exclusive brands are diversifying their offerings, from cafés and pop-ups to partnerships with historic hotels around the holiday season.
As the luxury travel sector bounces back from its COVID-19 era downfall — think the rise in high-end train travel — it's yet another space where brands can make their mark.
While festive collaborations aren't anything new, a struggling luxury fashion market makes it even more important for brands to capitalize on the moment. And the benefits of these collaborations aren't one-sided — Christmas tree lighting ceremonies at venues like Claridge's in London have evolved into beloved festive traditions, drawing crowds each year.
For many guests checking into hotels this holiday season, a well-decorated, designer tree display not only enhances the festive atmosphere but also serves as the ultimate status symbol that helps hotels stand out.
From colorful oversized bows to leather-crafted ribbon ornaments, here are 12 designer Christmas trees that are just as extravagant as the luxury brands behind them.
Riggs Washington, DC
Boutique hotel Riggs Washington, DC, has collaborated with fashion designer Christopher John Rogers and British paint and paper maker Farrow & Ball to create a dazzling 18-foot holiday tree.
Inspired by Rogers' childhood memories of food and family, the Carte Blanche collection, which debuted last September, includes 12 custom paint colors and three wallpaper prints, with names like "Cardamom," "Lobster," "Raw Tomatillo," and "Hog Plum."
These have served as inspiration for the holiday tree's colorful decor.
Riggs Washington, DC
The tree uses the 12 signature paint colors from the collection for oversize hand-painted bows and geometric wallpaper draped like fabric from Rogers' womenswear collections.
Ornaments, which Forbes reported took five days to make, include designs like blue lobsters, pink shallots, and silver sardines.
Claridge's
From sweet treats and scents to the star of the season, the Christmas tree, British fashion designer Sir Paul Smith has worked closely with Mayfair-based Claridge's to transform its lobby.
"When designing this year's tree, I automatically thought of a birdhouse, friendly and optimistic, a symbol of home which reflects the welcoming spirit of Claridge's," Sir Paul Smith told Harper's Bazaar in October, ahead of the tree's reveal.
Claridge's
To create the ornaments for the tree, Sir Paul Smith partnered with British architect Nik Ramage and design studio Studiomama.
Ramage helped craft the birdhouses displayed on the tree, while Studiomama created "off-cut creatures" made from scrapwood to place at the base of the tree.
In addition to the decor, Smith's holiday fragrance, "Merrymaker," will be sprayed in the hotel's lobby, and a candy cart called "Paul's Pick n Mix," featuring his favorite Christmas treats, will be wheeled into the lobby daily.
Ashkan Mortezapour Photography
British fashion designer Jenny Packham has brought her signature sparkling embellishments and silhouettes to Pulitzer Amsterdam's holiday decorations this year.
For the set design, Packham was inspired by renowned Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer, whose ability to showcase the "quiet moments of beauty" stayed with her, she told WWD.
Suaturayphotography
At nearly 29 feet, the tree, draped in grosgrain bows — reminiscent of those on Kate Middleton's dress during King Charles' Trooping of the Colour procession — and handmade pearls, stands tall in the hotel's central courtyard.
The intricate details on the bows and large pearl ornaments accompanying them are inspired by Vermeer's "Girl with a Pearl Earring."
The St. Regis New York
From garlands and velvet bows to a 12-foot tree, The St. Regis Hotel in New York has undergone a complete festive transformation, thanks to its collaboration with French patisserie Ladurée.
In addition to the decor, the Parisian brand is also offering a festive afternoon tea experience at the hotel's newly launched tea salon, La Maisonette.
The St. Regis New York
The dessert brand has created macaron-shaped ornaments in shades of gold, cream, and teal, complete with matching velvet bows, to decorate the tree in the hotel's reception.
Underneath, the spot is surrounded by ribbon-wrapped gifts such as an advent calendar and sweet boxes. And next to it, there's a macaron cart that doubles as both a photo stop and a place to shop.
Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai
London-based jewelry brand Garrard — appointed crown jeweler by Queen Victoria in 1843 — is bringing some of its holiday sparkle to Mandarin Oriental Jumeira this holiday season.
"Every year, our Christmas tree represents the ultimate celebration of sophistication and creative expression," said Werner Anzinger, the general manager of Mandarin Oriental Jumeira.
Of this year's tree, he said, "This new masterpiece crafted together with Garrard evokes the timeless luxury and glamour of both brands as we bring seasonal sparkle and joy to Dubai."
Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai
This year's Christmas tree is themed around sapphires, the same gemstone used by the jeweler for a pendant for the hotel's fifth anniversary earlier this year.
The tree's golden branches are decorated with the Mandarin fan — the hotel's signature motif — large midnight-blue baubles, and an illuminated ribbon.
Andrew Cebulka
From Meghan Markle to Karlie Kloss, several celebrities have been spotted rocking a La Ligne outfit. This year, the brand has dressed The Dewberry's lobby for Christmas.
Interior stylist Tom Dunn, who has previously worked with the fashion label, helped design the tree.
Andrew Cebulka
When decorating the tree, Dunn took inspiration from Charleston's sweetgrass baskets, incorporating natural elements like shed branches, woven baskets, and decorative sweetgrass into the decor.
The stylist added a touch of the outdoors to the Balsam fir, draping it with oak branches, wicker baubles, and tiny gold-toned flowers.
Heather Ison
Connecticut-based luxury leather-goods brand Ghurka is known for its luggage and leather accessories, but this year, it will also be known for its cozy, country holiday aesthetic at the Primland resort, a private mountain estate in Virginia.
Heather Ison
Beginning with festive bright-red bows, Ghurka reworked its signature chestnut leather for the holiday decor.
The tree also features natural brass rivets and red ribbons with Christmas lights.
Guests staying at the hotel can also request a personalized tree en suite throughout the festive season.
The Connaught
The historic Connaught Hotel in Mayfair has stuck to simplicity with a hint of sparkle for its holiday makeover this year.
Helping with the designs is British sculptor Conrad Shawcross, best known for blending mathematical concepts and geometrical patterns within his designs.
The Connaught
The hotel's tree on Carlos Place has been dressed in 90 identical lanterns, each made from aluminum and hand painted with a silver coating.
Atop, the designer has added a shining star that lights up Mayfair and, per the artist, symbolizes hope this Christmas.
Mandarin Oriental, Singapore
It is a season of double celebrations for crystal brand Baccarat, which is marking its 260th anniversary this year by collaborating with hotels worldwide for festive experiences.
One of the hotels is the Mandarin Oriental in Singapore, where Baccarat also hosted a cocktail world tour earlier this year.
Mandarin Oriental, Singapore
Although the tree is slightly unconventional — with no leaves or branches — the hotel's centerpiece is certainly one of a kind, given that it's made from 24- and 40-light Le Roi Soleil chandeliers.
The crystal chandeliers feature intricate branches, tassels, and octagons stacked into a tree shape with the brand's logo on top.
Janos Grapow/Hotel de la Ville
One of Rome's most Instagram-worthy getaways, Hotel de la Ville, collaborated with luxury Italian label Brioni for its holiday decor.
The result is a cozy, quiet-luxury aesthetic with elegant details throughout the lobby and, of course, a Christmas tree.
Hotel guests can also experience "tailoring en suite," where they can shop customized outfits crafted by Brioni's master tailors.
Janos Grapow/Hotel de la Ville
The Italian label has reimagined silk pieces from its previous collections to create custom ornaments for what it calls a sustainable Christmas tree.
The tree, designed in shades of blue, gold, and cream and arranged by florists, incorporates natural elements and is brightened with golden hues.
The Charles Hotel
The Charles Hotel in Munich is celebrating the holidays by creating an enchanting Christmas world titled "From Munich to Mars" in collaboration with MCM — think gingerbread-style ornaments, glittering displays, and a giant Christmas tree adorned with gold and bronze baubles.
If all of that isn't exciting enough, the hotel will also feature an MCM-branded advent calendar, in which guests can win one of 24 luxury gifts every day.
The Charles Hotel
To uphold this year's theme, the hotel has turned to a holiday favorite: gingerbread. Taking inspiration from the traditional biscuit, MCM has used its colors to create rocket and Christmas tree-shaped ornaments.
They've also built out a snowy landscape with gifts wrapped in brown boxes and a miniature, snow-capped gingerbread house to complement the theme.
Hotel de Russie
Another Roman contender, Hotel de Russie, unveiled a high-fashion tree for the festive season, crafted in collaboration with luxury label Dolce & Gabbana.
The tree, which is located in the hotel's courtyard, was inspired by the brand's intricate work seen in its collections over the years.
Hotel de Russie
The nearly 13-foot tree, decorated with glass and ceramic baubles depicting folk character motifs, big bows, and twinkling lights, adds a warm, festive vibe to the hotel.
Hues of gold pay tribute to the fashion label's signature style.
from Business Insider https://ift.tt/LdKW6TX
No comments