Last Wednesday, the renowned Mayfair hotel in London, Claridge’s, revealed its iconic Christmas Tree 2024, which was designed by Sir Paul Smith, a long-time hotel friend. It follows collaborations with creative talents Karl Lagerfeld, Kim Jones and Christian Louboutin among others. Sir Paul Smith’s and Claridge’s join forces to unveil a stunning 20ft Christmas tree with signature stripes, and embellished with more than 100 custom birdhouses in Paul Smith’s vibrant ornaments and ribbon.

Commenting on the tree, Sir Paul said, “My wife Pauline and I have been staying and dining at Claridge’s for many years. We have spent so many special moments like Christmas and New Year at the hotel with our grandchildren and so it is often a family affair. It’s a great honour to be asked to create this year’s Christmas tree and it’s something I hope people will enjoy and find fascinating and fun. When designing this year’s tree, I automatically thought of a bird house, friendly and optimistic, a symbol of home which reflects the welcoming spirit of Claridge’s.”

When designing the tree, Sir Paul automatically thought of a birdhouse. It felt like the most charming of ideas, friendly, optimistic and he wanted to use an everyday object such as a birdhouse in a repetitive way. In the same vein as designing his shops, Sir Paul likes to take everyday objects and repurpose them, giving them a new lease of life. He commented, “you can find inspiration in everything, and if you can’t, look again.”

Paul Smith’s holiday Merrymaker fragrance will scent the lobby, and a chorus of birdsong is projected from the tree throughout the day to welcome guests into the lobby of the hotel. Sir Paul has even transformed the hotel lobby into his living room, with a geometric Paul Smith stripe Rug Company Rug, reupholstered Maharam by Paul Smith fabric pieces surround the fireplace to offer guests a warming retreat during the winter months.