"The designer is totally responsible for their tree," says Paula Fitzherbert, global head of communications at Claridge's parent group, Maybourne. "We give them carte blanche to design it however they want. In 16 years, I don't think once we've once said, 'Oh, you can't do that.'"
No one has more fun than designers at Claridge's, who have made their festive tree a world-famous seasonal landmark. 2009 was the year that Claridge's first invited a big-name designer to do the honours.
By the 1990s, they were enlisting celebrated designers, artists, jewellers and fashion houses to transform their lobbies into winter wonderlands and turn it into an annual phenomenon, complete with a Champagne reception, live music and celebrity guests.
Nothing signifies this season better than a Christmas tree. Since Prince Albert was thought to have introduced them to Britain in the mid-19th century, they have become the ultimate symbol of the festive season.
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