Claridge’s ‘Upside Down’ Christmas Tree

Long symbolising the start of the festive season in London, the annual Claridge’s Christmas tree draws visitors from the city and abroad to admire its design.  With 2017 being the eighth year that Claridge’s has invited a creative visionary to interpret their tree, the legendary Mayfair hotel asked one of the fashion world’s most influential creative to design the tree: Karl Lagerfeld.

The festive ‘Upside Down’ tree was inspired by Lagerfeld’s childhood memories of Christmas; the sixteen foot high inverted tree features silver, gilded roots topped with a mirrored star, which reflects rays of light across the sophisticated lobby. Reminiscent of a silver stalactite, the tree is garnished with traditional silver decorations, including butter leather feathers and handmade snowflakes.

Under the tree sits hand sewn white Icelandic sheepskin rugs, reflecting a recent ‘snowfall’. Other, smaller inverted trees are placed around the hotel lobby, including one that has taken the place of Claridge’s famous central chandelier. “Christmas trees are the strongest souvenir of my happy childhood,” Karl Lagerfeld said, discussing the design.