To celebrate the centenary (100th anniversary) of Art Deco this year and the Paris Exhibition of 1925, Claridge’s in London has unveiled a year-long series of celebratory guest experiences, activations and collaborations.
Art Deco adventures throughout the year include tours of the property, "Great Gatsby" pre-theater dinners in Claridge’s Restaurant, "Flapper" and "Hanky Panky" cocktails served in original Lalique glassware in The Fumoir, "Charleston Masterclasses" from The Bee’s Knees, a "Bright Young Things" Claridge’s sleepover, as well as a celebration of Cecil Beaton’s “Fashionable World” at the National Portrait Gallery in October. (The “Bright Young Things” were the carefree generation of young aristocrats and socialites who lit up interwar London and threw lavish fancy dress parties, drank exotic cocktails and whose antics inspired writers from Nancy Mitford to Evelyn Waugh as well as society photographer Cecil Beaton.)
Celebrating this era a century later, Claridge’s has delved deep into its archives to capture the spirit with a range of experiences including:
- Claridge’s Art Deco Tours – Through monthly behind-the-scenes tours of the hotel from Kate Hudson, Claridge’s archivist, guests can discover iconic Art Deco historical details such as the Jacques Adnet Deco doves and original Lalique designs presented to Claridge’s by Renee Lalique.
- Bright Young Things Claridge’s Sleepover – Travelers can stay in Deco-designed rooms and suites, complete with Hanky Panky cocktails, a limited-edition “Flappers and Philosophers” book by F Scott Fitzgerald, who was a regular Claridge’s guest, and original Art Deco bottles of centenary scent, Shalimar by Guerlain. Guests are welcomed with a specially curated 20s jazz playlist and movies such as “Midnight in Paris” and “The Artist.”
- Cecil Beaton’s Cocktails at Claridge’s – Guests can enjoy signature 20s recipes from "The Flapper" to "Southside Fizz," all from “Cecil Beaton’s Cocktail Book,” served in original Lalique glassware in The Fumoir, the Deco bar at the heart of the hotel, tying in with the opening of Cecil Beaton’s “Fashionable World” at The National Portrait Gallery in October.
- Charleston Masterclasses – Learn how to dance like with London’s finest flappers, The Bee’s Knees.
- Claridge’s Art Deco Salons – A series of talks in The Painter’s Room from some of Claridge’s favorite Deco family: vintage queen Virgina Bates on fashion, music maestro Alex Le Roux on Jazz Age sounds, Alice Du Parcq on famous fragrances, design aficionado Bryan O’Sullivan on Deco details and Claridge’s floral king Richard Eagleton on 1920s in bloom.
- The Great Gatsby Pre-Theater Dinner – Soak up the 1920s vibe and dazzling dishes before heading to the new musical production of “The Great Gatsby” at The Coliseum.
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