Louis Vuitton Creates Wanderlust-Worthy Christmas Tree Out Of Travel Trunks
By Mikelle Leow, 24 Nov 2023
Image via Maybourne
Louis Vuitton is breathing the magic of travel into a Christmas tree it has dreamed up for the prestigious Claridge’s Hotel in London, riding on the obliqued coattails of Dior’s holiday Carousel of Dreams in New York City.
Standing at a striking 5.2 meters (about 17 feet), the lavish tree conjures up the festive spirit with a sprinkling of modern aesthetics. The setup consists of 15 vertically aligned chrome trunks, varying in height, which reflect the Art Deco elements of Claridge’s architecture.
Image via Maybourne
Image via Maybourne
Adding to the tree’s grandeur, two monumental Louis Vuitton Wardrobe Trunks frame the spectacle. They’re embellished with vintage travel stickers from Claridge’s, along with oversized Louis Vuitton luggage tags. This wanderlust-inducing design choice celebrates the legacy of Gaston-Louis Vuitton, grandson of the brand's founder, and his various travels and collections.
Image via Maybourne
Louis Vuitton’s ornaments are 21 Vivienne mascots, including a Santa Claus figure, playfully arranged among the silver trunks.
Image via Maybourne
Crowning the tree is a model of Asnières, the historic family home and workshop of Louis Vuitton located on the Paris riverbank.
Image via Maybourne
Apart from continuing a festive tradition, the collaboration symbolizes the rich history shared by these two iconic institutions, both established in 1854 and renowned for their association with luxury travel.
Notably, Louis Vuitton was once the personal luggage maker to Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III, who was a frequent guest at Claridge’s.
The 2023 Claridge’s Christmas Tree now stands in the iconic black-and-white marbled lobby of the hotel.
Image via Maybourne
[via Dezeen, Evening Standard, The Hotel Trotter, images via Maybourne]
This article was crafted with assistance from an AI engine, and has been manually reviewed & edited.