Claridge’s hotel unveiled its Christmas tree, designed by Burberry’s Christopher Bailey, today. According to modern tradition, the Claridge’s tree is less about Christmas and more about what’s trending this Christmas. So what can we expect from this massive, metallic cone of umbrellas?
Burberry’s tree is distinctly non-trad. In fact this one is interactive – layered over the almost 100 umbrellas (which make up the body of the tree) are 77,000 individual lights which will, unnervingly, be triggered as guests walk past, sending beams of light into the lobby. Sort of like a tripwires, but prettier. The colours – gold and silver – suggest the most fashionable trees will be monotone.
Compared to Claridge’s trees of yore, it’s fairly simple. 2011’s tree, designed by Alber Elbaz, formerly of Lanvin, was pretty conservative with the exception of Elbaz, fashioned as a fairy, on top. Dolce & Gabbana went Sicilian with theirs last year, whacking on some handblown baubles from Bellagio on Lake Como. All of which means that Christmas 2015 will be gold, silver or both. And likely to trip a fuse.
