Mary Katrantzou’s Christmas Tree for the Design Museum

Continuing its celebrated holiday tradition, the Design Museum in London has commissioned fashion designer Mary Katrantzou to design their 2012 Christmas tree.

Unlike, the three-dimensional, monochromatic, six-meter tall cardboard Christmas tree for last year designed by former Designer in Residence Gilles Miller, the 2012 is colorful and flat. Katrantzou’s creation showcases a pattern from her AW12 collection, inspired by everyday objects. The 2D design, shown at the museum’s outer wall, is a flat nod to her print origins. Katrantzou’s Autumn/Winter 2012 acclaimed collection included collaboration with Swarovski and Lesage to create masterful embroideries ‘elevating the mundane to the sublime,’ as part of the Swarovski Collective.

“The print was inspired by formal gardens and artful box parterres,” the designer explains. “These were layered and overlaid to create an intricate maze-like print reminiscent of a hand embroidered lace motif.”

Measuring 3 meters in height the tree will combine Katrantzou’s trademark bold patterns with Christmas sparkle to create this inventive take on a Christmas tree.