Claridge’s Christmas Trees from 2009 to 2021

This year's centrepiece to Claridge's festive display has been designed by none other than Jimmy Choo's Sandra Choi and realised by set designer Simon Costin. Described by Choi as "multifaceted" like the London-jewel that Claridige's is, the tree is a formed of a clear structure which is illuminated by bold neon lights.

A cool-toned blue throughout the majority of the tree, the star of the show is the triumphant pink bow that sits at its pinnacle. A playful take on Christmas decor, the contrast between the heritage feel of the hotel and the modern design of the tree is what makes it all the more eye-catching.

Designed by Kim Jones, the artistic director of Dior men’s, the 2021 Claridge’s entryway was adorned by a Christmas tree entitled “The Celestial Snowglobe”. Contemporary in its appearance, the transparent, crystal-like design illuminated the space and cast ribbons of light upon the ceiling. 

Inspired by the toile used in Christian Dior’s atelier, the clear layers of the tree combined with light projections hidden inside to create a kaleidoscopic display evocative of the falling snow found in snow globes. Underneath, a simple mirrored base brought the iconic monochromatic stone floor into play and allowed the tree to appear as if it were floating.

For 2019, McQueen Flowers opted for a different take on the traditional Christmas tree, instead choosing an entirely white silver birch. Wanting to commemorate the start of  the next decade, McQueen created a piece inspired by the roaring 20s of a century before. Adorned in cascading crystals, a frosted waterfall of jewels imbues a magical feel to this lobby display. 

Sat atop a mirrored pool, the lights bounce through the jewels and dance on the floor below. With over 10,000 crystal garlands and pendants, this tree is the ultimate frosted scene.

Christian Louboutin had the honour of designing Claridge’s Christmas lobby in 2019, which, in his characteristically extravagant style, he chose to transform with not just a tree but a Christmas wonderland. Marking the tenth anniversary of Claridge’s Christmas trees, this year embraced the tradition of the holiday. 

Topping the tallest of his cluster of trees with a larger-than-life paper crown, Christian chose to decorate the frosted branches with red and gold baubles and a scattering of gingerbread stilettos. Stuffing the underskirt of the tree with presents wrapped in brown paper and red ribbon, the overall look felt nostalgic and playful. 

For Christmas 2018, the iconic tree, designed by Diane von Furstenburg, took on a glamorous, disco-like feel. A friend of the hotel and a fashion-favourite, the designer entitled the display as “The Tree of Love”, inspired by Diane’s personal belief in the power that love can hold. 

Painted in an iridescent blue and plenty of shimmer, the tree was decorated with over 8,000 hand painted silver-leafed leaves, glass spheres and 150 hand-blown glass hearts. Casting a magical light across the entryway, the walls were also temporarily covered in an astrological inspired wallpaper and numerous silver animals could be found on and around the tree. 

2017 saw Claridge’s Christmas decor quite literally on its head as Karl Largerfeld channelled his signature style of tradition with an edge. Choosing an inverted 16-foot tree as his centrepiece, Largerfeld embraced the natural beauty of the roots, gilding them in silver and honouring them as a part of the tree topper. 

On the branches, silver threads and crystals draped downwards suggesting snowfall that collects beneath in the form of icelandic sheepskin rugs.

In 2016, the prestigious Mayfair spot was home to a tree designed by Apple Chief Design Officer Jony Ive and fellow Apple creative Marc Newson. Described as “an immersive experience that plays with the relationship between nature and technology, tradition and the future and between three dimensions and two”, this year’s installation is not so much a singular tree than it is a veritable forest. And a magical one at that.

Light boxes bring to life photographic woodland scenes of frosted silver birches, whilst cast Scots pine models mark the display’s four corners. Underfoot, a carpet of pure white floors the space and overhead hangs a lush canopy of green pine. The most captivating element of all, however, is a young, three-foot-tall sapling – “a [symbol] of the future”.

“There are few things more pure and beautiful than nature, so that was our starting point, layering various iterations of organic forms with technology,” Jony and Marc have said, “Our aim was to create an all-enveloping magical experience that celebrates our enormous respect for tradition while recognising our excitement about the future and things to come.”

For Christmas 2015, Claridge’s lobby was adorned with an innovative and modern masterpiece, designed by Burberry Chief Creative and Chief Executive Officer, Christopher Bailey. Marking the first year a Brit had designed a tree for the famous lobby, it was an outstanding nod to London and the key part both Burberry and Claridges play in the heritage of the city.

Made up of almost 100 umbrellas, each finished in bespoke gold and silver metallic fabric, the tree paid homage to Burberry and it’s reputation as the luxury brand to go to for chic protection against the elements. An impressive 77,000 individual lights provided a twinkling display whenever someone interacted with the tree, creating a stunning exploration of light and a remarkable festive display.

Contrasting the hotel’s Art Deco lobby, Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana brought a beautiful woodland display to life in the heart of the world capital. The legendary Italian designers took inspiration from their childhood memories to design their second magical Christmas tree for the famous hotel. Presenting a whimsical fantasy-inspired scene with animated animals gathered by the warmth of the fire, the tree was reminiscent of a page from a children’s story book.

Adorned with over 300 glass baubles, expertly blown by master artisans and hand-painted with international flags, the tree recognised the many festive traditions held all across the world. Oversized ribbons also represented many different countries, handmade by Dolce & Gabbana’s incredibly talented tailors.

For their first offering to the hotel’s famous lobby, Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana chose to pay tribute to their Italian heritage. The tree was adorned with more than 450 festive glass baubles, blown by master artisans and hand-painted with images to recreate a Sicilian garden.

The 7 metre-high tree was framed with multi-coloured ‘luminarie’ lighting, casting a green, red, yellow and blue festive glow that warmed the hotel interior. The striking display recalls the traditional illuminations seen in Italian streets around Christmastime. Thirty handcrafted wooden Sicilian marionettes stood guard around the base of the tree, crafted in the likeness of Charlemagne and other medieval knights.

Taking a natural approach, the founder of luxury florist McQueens, Kally Ellis, evoked a sense of the great outdoors with her impressive Christmas tree display. Designed to take the image of a real life magnolia tree covered with lichen moss, it wouldn’t have looked out of place in a forest. Only the applied adornments set it apart as a festive display, with studded crystals and metallic jewel eggs creating a canopy of colour and glamour.

The tree stood in a bed of peat moss, with snow and white Christmas roses adding a touch of festive luxe. Of her design, Kally described the piece as, “capturing the spirit of a traditional Christmas – the nostalgia that evokes – and combining that with the style and glamour associated with Claridge’s that gives it a certain sparkle.”

In 2011, the Claridge’s foyer was graced with a Christmas display designed by Alber Elbaz for Lanvin. In his display, Elbaz brought to life a fantastical Christmas dream in the form of a dazzling multicoloured design. Adorned in a striking array of baubles, ornaments and lights, the tree was topped with a silk figurine of the designer himself, complete with festive fairy wings and a wand.

A charming tableau of caricatures sat around the base of the tree, portraying the Lanvin family as well as the hotel’s doorman and maid. A large zebra, a glamorous seating arrangement and a vibrant display of gifts completed the whimsical design, bringing a sense of quirky style to the famous London hotel.

In his second year of creating a magnificent festive display for Claridge’s, John Galliano turned the famous lobby into an under-the-sea paradise. Drawing upon the beauty of the ocean as his source for inspiration, Galliano filled the space with dazzling aquatic designs. The truly remarkable display showcased sparkling silver leaves and stunning pink corals, with colourful jellyfish and seahorses adding a fanciful touch.

Galliano described the magical piece as an underwater fantasy. Speaking of his desire to create a design befitting of the heritage of Claridge’s, he said, “The majestic beauty of Claridge’s Art Deco interiors never fails to inspire me. I am thrilled to be invited to create a new tree for Christmas at Claridge’s. I hope we create something as sumptuous as its setting and this inspires a truly luxurious escape and a very festive season at Claridge’s.”

The very first festive collaboration between Claridge’s and a famous designer happened in 2009, when the Mayfair hotel teamed up with iconic fashion designer John Galliano. The design took a dramatic twist on tradition and created a very unique Christmas display by forgoing a traditional fir tree and opting instead for a dramatic, knarled tree. The display made for a perfect winter wonderland addition thanks to its use of a cooling blue and white palette, as well as sparkling leaves and orchids.

Creating an interesting fusion of hot and cold climates, the tropical-style tree was home to both handmade snow leopards and parrots, offering a striking and visually intriguing design. Dominating the hotel’s lobby in a way that only his signature theatrical and outlandish style could, Galliano’s design inspired an annual revival of the display.