Designers get into the festive spirit making Christmas trees the real trendsetters of the season. Time to throw your old box of baubles out of the window and take tips from some of the world’s most fashionable firs.
by Aishwarya Tyagi
Christopher Bailey’s playful take on the infamous English weather comes as a Christmas tree comprising of more than 100 umbrellas, that come to life as guests pass by. Sitting in the lobby of Mayfair’s iconic Claridge’s, each unit of the installation is finished in metallic fabric and 77,000 lights.
“A reference of some of the amazing things that give us hope in the world today,” is how Damien Hirst defines his vision for the 30 ft. Christmas tree outside The Connaught in the heart of London. Festively reimagined medical instruments playfully reflect the Christmas miracle and hope that the power of science and medicine can offer, snowmen formed of giant pills, as well as traditional white doves – a symbol of hope.
Mark Colle’s creation is not your average Christmas tree. Standing proud in Ian Schrager’s celebrated London Edition hotel, Raf Simon’s favourite floral designer’s verdant piece is a handcrafted arrangement of individual flowers, moss, and ivy. The experimental floral arrangement was created in Colle’s studio in Belgium, inspired by the architecture of the hotel lobby, mixed with festive greens and romantic flora.
Dame Vivienne Westwood and Andreas Kronthaler's “ethical tree” in the Aqua restaurant in The Shard, London is draped with delicate fairy lights, garlands of tuju and huayruro seed and festive beading created by a women’s cooperative in Peru supported by Cool Earth. Kitsch plays a major part of the design as patchwork of lace acts as a shroud, symbolizing the importance to protect the rainforest.
Fendi has been an old friend of Hotel de Russie in Rome, coming back each year with exceptional firs for the iconic courtyard. This year, the luxury Italian house is in process of creating a festive instillation made up of 350 red, white and golden lights assembled to create the 17-foot, inspired by FENDI ID-ea light bulbs. Not only do guests at the hotel get this eye candy on arrival, they also get custom Fendi gifts on arrival in their residing rooms. Isn’t it the most wonderful time of the year?
