FOR SOMEONE who has restyled Anglopoise lamps, two-and four-wheeled vehicles, even a camera and a bottle of a well-known mineral water, it should come as no surprise to find Paul Smith adding a Christmas tree to his repertoire of exclusive creations.
Claridge’s Christmas Tree 2024 by Sir Paul Smith
Nor should it shock to find his tree gracing a famed London hotel where this form of celebrating the imminent arrival of Christmas has long been an annual event and one associated with a roll-call of illustrious designers and fashion houses – think Louis Vuitton, Jimmy Choo, Christopher Bailey, Karl Lagerfeld. The lobby of Claridge’s is justly famous for its seasonal display and the date for this year’s unveiling is the morning of Wednesday 20th November.
Claridge’s Christmas Tree 2024 by Sir Paul Smith
The 19-foot Christmas tree is adorned with myriad little models of birdhouses, made by Nick Ramage, with whimsical rooftops composed of postage stamps, dice and playing cards. The playful tone continues with a display around the base of the tree in the shape of recycled off-cuts of wood by Studiomama.
Claridge’s Christmas Tree 2024 by Sir Paul Smith
As a design collaboration, the overall effect is a wonderfully ludic commemoration of a traditional aspect of Christmas. Paul Smith opened his first tiny clothes shop in Nottingham, with a floor area of three square metres, and it is emblematic of his success that his creativity will soon be on display in the grand lobby of famed Claridges.
by Sean Sheehan