Claridge’s hotel in London’s Mayfair has unveiled its annual Christmas tree, which has been designed by Louis Vuitton.
The sculpture features two large Malles Vestiaires (Louis Vuitton’s signature ‘wardrobe trunks’) on top of each other at a height of 5.2m.
Each trunk has been adorned with Claridge’s heritage travel stickers and an oversized Louis Vuitton luggage tag in the style of Gaston-Louis Vuitton, Louis Vuitton’s grandson.
The silhouette of the tree is composed of 15 vertically placed chrome trunks decorated with 21 Louis Vuitton Vivienne mascots, including Father Christmas.
The tree is topped with a reference to Asnières, home of the Louis Vuitton family home and atelier, and celebrates Claridge’s and Louis Vuitton’s partnership, which dates back to 1854, the founding year for both luxury establishments.
It was said that Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III, travelled with Louis Vuitton trunks and stayed at Claridge’s in the 1850s.
Paul Jackson, general manager of Claridge’s, commented: “This morning we are excited to unveil the Claridge’s Christmas Tree 2023 by our legendary friends at Louis Vuitton. Christmas is the most magical time for us here at the hotel and we look forward to welcoming guests and seeing visitors immerse themselves in Louis Vuitton’s world.”
This is the thirteenth year Claridge’s has invited a fashion house to design its Christmas tree.
Last year, it worked with shoe brand Jimmy Choo to create a five-metre-high tree-shaped sculpture made up of 69 mirrors, 60 metres of lights and 250 aluminium panels.