Designers Branch Out for the Holidays
Forget tired trappings like popcorn garlands and shiny balls. Two of the world’s most classic hotels have teamed up with two of fashion’s most fanciful designers to trim their evergreens this year.
Claridge’s in London has tapped Lanvin’s cherubic Alber Ebaz for their traditional tree, which will be unveiled on Nov 22. The “colorful and whimsical” tree will feature “the sprit of Lanvin,” including marionettes dressed in the posh hotel’s signature uniforms and, we’d wager, lots of bows. Ebaz is taking over for John Galliano, who last year went with an undersea theme.
After the Thanksgiving holiday, New York’s iconic Plaza hotel will unveil a tree designed by Betsey Johnson with a tea party on November 28. The design will be based on Eloise, the hotel’s plucky 6-year-old resident from the 1955 children’s book series. It’s the second time the spunky designer has found inspiration in the cartoon heroine; she designed the all-over pink Eloise suite last year.
It’s enough to get even the biggest Grinch into the holiday spirit.