This year, the historic Claridge’s Hotel, in London’s upscale Mayfair district, has commissioned the design of its Christmas tree to Burberry’s creative director Daniel Lee. The festive tree will be unveiled on the morning of November 25, officially kicking off the traditional Christmas festivities in the UK’s capital.

 
“Claridge’s has always felt like home from the moment you walk through its doors, a true symbol of elegance and British heritage where I’ve enjoyed many special moments over the years,” said Lee. “Being invited to design the hotel’s annual Christmas tree is a huge honour. I saw it as an opportunity to celebrate tradition and togetherness, expressing the festive season through bright colours and precious fabrics,” he added.
 
Burberry indicated that the five-metre-tall, traditionally shaped tree will be adorned with some 600 bows, the Victorian symbol of unity, made from Burberry fabric offcuts. It will be decorated with Christmas bells and chess-piece ornaments, inspired by Burberry’s signature Equestrian Knight design. A golden crown will top off the evergreen, whose base will be encircled by oversize chess pieces.

The hotel has a tradition of working with fashion designers on its tree. Last year it was Paul Smith with a 19ft tree decorated with 100 bespoke birdhouses, “all with a playful Paul Smith twist, with roofs decorated in playing cards, postage stamps and dice”.

He collaborated with British architect Nik Ramage, who made a series of mechanical birdhouses, and design studio Studiomama, which created a series of whimsical ‘Off Cut Creatures’ to sit around the base of the tree.  

Additional material by Sandra Halliday