The festive season is upon us, and with it, comes a slew of fabulous hotel Christmas trees as luxury establishments across the world entice guests for feasting and frivolity. The most luxe of the season is undoubtedly Claridge’s – London’s iconic Mayfair hotel, which has announced its much-anticipated annual Christmas tree will be designed by Louis Vuitton.
Long-term friends of the hotel, The House will unveil its creation in the hotel’s gilded lobby on the morning of Thursday, 23 November, in front of a crowd of the hotel’s discerning and well-heeled guests. Claridge’s Christmas tree unveiling is one of the highlights of the hospitality festive season, with the tree a festive landmark in the city.
The partnership marks the 13th year Claridge’s has invited an illustrious fashion house to interpret the tree in their own distinctive style, and past festive collaborations have included trees by Jimmy Choo (2022), Kim Jones, Artistic Director of the Dior men’s collections (2021), Christian Louboutin (2019) and Karl Lagerfeld in 2017. The Claridge’s Christmas Tree 2023 by Louis Vuitton will bring together two illustrious names, both of whom have long celebrated the Art of Travel – which in turn will inspire the tree’s design. Louis Vuitton’s signature travel trunks will no doubt feature in the tree’s design, hinted in the teaser unveiled by Maybourne – the hotel group behind Claridge’s and other fabulous London properties like The Berkeley and The Connaught.
Claridges’s and Louis Vuitton’s paths intertwined over the years, with both The House and Grande Dame founded in 1854. The 1950s saw Louis Vuitton himself appointed as the personal layetier to Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III. Claridge’s was a favourite with the Empress, making the hotel her winter residence and famously receiving visits from Queen Victoria, which led to the hotel being known as the annex to Buckingham Palace – a nickname it still bears today. In fact, it was Louis Vuitton who would have packed the Empress’ trunks for her travels to Claridge’s.
The Maison’s first London store opened in 1885, around the corner from Claridge’s on 289 Oxford Street, showcasing wares including the now iconic trunks – the epitome of Louis Vuiutton’s unique unique savoir-faire that has crossed the threshold of Claridges for over 130 years.
‘What an honour it is to welcome such a legendary house as Louis Vuitton to design our Claridge’s Christmas Tree this year,’ said Claridge’s general manager, Paul Jackson. ‘Christmas is the most magical time of year for us here at the hotel and we look forward to seeing guests and visitors immerse themselves in Louis Vuitton’s world.’
