Sir Paul Smith to design 2024 Claridge’s Christmas tree

Sir Paul Smith is to design this year’s Christmas tree at Claridge’s hotel in London.

The traditional 19ft Christmas tree, which will be decorated with 100 bespoke birdhouses created by the fashion designer, will be unveiled in the hotel lobby on 20 November.

The birdhouse roofs will be decorated with postage stamps, dice and playing cards, which have been produced in collaboration with architect Nik Ramage and design studio Studiomama.

Smith said: “My wife Pauline and I have been staying and dining at Claridge’s for many years. We have spent so many special moments like Christmas and New Year at the hotel with our grandchildren and so it is often a family affair.

“It’s a great honour to be asked to create this year’s Christmas tree and it’s something I hope people will enjoy and find fascinating and fun. When designing this year’s tree, I automatically thought of a bird house, friendly and optimistic, a symbol of home which reflects the welcoming spirit of Claridge’s.”

Paul Jackson, general manager of Claridge’s, said: “We have had the honour of welcoming Sir Paul and his family to the hotel for many years and we can’t wait to see his unique and inimitable take on the annual challenge of creating something magical for our lobby this festive season.

“Christmas is the most magical time of year for us all here at Claridge’s and we look forward to seeing guests and visitors immerse themselves in the creative and colourful world of Sir Paul Smith.”

Last year’s Claridge’s Christmas tree was designed by Louis Vuitton, while the hotel worked with luxury shoe brand Jimmy Choo in 2022 that to create a five-metre-high tree-shaped sculpture consisting of 69 mirrors, 60 metres of lights and 250 aluminium panels.

This is the fourteenth year Claridge’s has invited a fashion house to design its Christmas tree.