Selfridges takes Christmas into a ‘future fantasy’ realm

Selfridges is ‘going into a futuristic vision of Christmas’ for its 2019 theme: Future Fantasy.

The department store group said that this year it is ‘rethinking traditional, beloved festive stories and retelling tales as old as time, but through a modern lens. Product drops in as if by magic in unexpected galactic colourways and editions – many exclusively for Selfridges. This is a next generation Christmas; an interplay of old and new’.

DECORATIONS

Selfridges’ Christmas Shop on the fourth floor of its flagship branch on London’s Oxford Street will house a selection of contemporary decorations under six key themes:

Future Fantasy: this theme will include neon hues that contrast with silvers and icy blues. Decorations will range from twinkling stars to detailed planets. Exclusive decorations will include hand painted, neon-splattered baubles and crackers by Eat Pray Pedal.

Selfridges Icons: This year, Selfridges will introduce a collection of bespoke baubles representing the London store. The collection includes Selfridges’ yellow shopping bag and double-decker buses, as well as a silver Pegasus inspired by Damien Hirst’s hanging sculpture located in Selfridges newest restaurant, the Brasserie of Light.

Feast: This colour scheme includes festive reds and golds, along with miniature food baubles such as glistening figs, aubergines, glittering garlic bulbs and a whole roast Christmas turkey.

Santa’s Day Off: For those looking for something a little more quirky, Selfridges’ collection of ‘hipster’ Santas (dressed in checked shirts and beanie hats) will be rocking out and surfing.

Midnight Jungle: with chic Christmas parties in mind, the Midnight Jungle collection ‘oozes sophistication’ with emerald green and deep purple tones. It also features gold leaves and glittered ferns as well as exotic birds, tigers and cheetahs.

Oyster: inspired by champagne tones and pearlescent finishes, hero decorations include large silver and gold sequined icicles and a shimmering oyster with pearl.

London: London and its iconic figures are featured as handmade decorations (such as David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust and Prince Baubles) and Icon Crackers which include Anna Wintour, Audrey Hepburn and Elton John.

HOME GIFTS

Hero housewares gifts include the exclusive UK launch of Aarke water carbonation systems, available in five colourways (£200), an exclusive white marble cast iron dish from Le Creuset (£295), coffee machines from Ratio 8 and cold brew coffee systems from bi.du.heave.

Another example is the VSpin Wine Aerator (£234) which Selfridges describes as ‘think 21st century decanter; it creates a gentle, silent vortex which greatly increases the surface area of the wine exposed to air, accelerating the aeration process. The result? Enhanced aromas, richer bouquet, and mellows harsh tannin textures’.

For budding chefs, there is the exclusive range of Savernake knives (from £250) which, Selfridges says, ‘are engineered using the same CNC machine preferred by Formula 1 engineers, allowing them to create concave blade geometry and ensure a life time of use’.

Design lovers on the hunt for Christmas gifts will discover new brand SUS Gallery’s range of titanium tumblers and bowls in a range of metallic colours (from £250). Also launching exclusively for Christmas are Angele Riguidel’s robot sculptures made from upcycled discarded kitchen equipment (from £300). Plus, Selfridges will launch the latest Swirl collection from Tom Dixon, made using patented material which is produced from recycled marble and combined with colour pigments and resin to give a unique marble look (from £60).

Seletti will offer a bespoke neon lighting service in-store whilst new brand Mori London will launch a range of lighting products which are designed like old fashion gas lamps but are lit with an LDC display of a flickering candle (from £195).

Meanwhile, Selfridges’ home fragrance department will include exclusives from The Merchant of Venice (£180), the best-selling Otto fragrance housed in an exclusive ‘Astomonomici’ design from Fornasetti (from £165), and three new and exclusive candles from Boy Smells, along with the new ‘Porter Bonheur’ by Diptyque.

FOOD GIFTS

Selfridges says: ‘Enjoy a fairytale feast for 2019 as we turn festive traditions on their head. Think the most delicious vegan panettone, a big twist on the traditional Christmas pud, and hampers filled with surprising tastes.’

This year, as part of its own-label range, Selfridges will launch its first ever range of vegan Christmas products. They include a Vegan Pumpkin Spiced Panettone (£20) made exclusively for Selfridges in Verona, Italy, and a Vegan Figgy Pudding (£24.99). For those looking for a vegan stocking filler, there will also be Vegan Fruit & Nut Fudge (£10) and Vegan Chocolate Pralines (£10), which are made in Brighton by family-run chocolate company Be Chocolat using toasted almond flakes and 60% dark chocolate from Ghana. There will also be a Vegan Christmas Gift Box (£90) which includes the full range of Selfridges Selection’s vegan products.

Selfridges will also be launching a new own label Dark-Milk Hot Chocolate (£9.99) made using 40% cocoa. Also new this year is the Selfridges Selection Orange Hot Chocolate (£9.99) which uses 60% cocoa, orange flavour and a hint of vanilla. Both are handmade in the UK by The Chocolate Society, exclusively for Selfridges.

The Selfridges Selection Christmas offer will include Italian inspired fare too. The sell-out Salted Caramel Panettone (£25) returns to Selfridges’ Food Hall (back by popular demand). It will sit alongside the new Selfridges Selection’s Cherry & Amaretto Jam (£6) made by Thursday Cottage, using traditional open pan cooking methods, packed with Morello cherries, spices and amaretto. Additionally there will be Selfridges Selection Baci di Dama biscuits, made with Giffoni hazelnuts and chocolate.

Selfridges will also be stocking exclusive gingerbread creations by Biscuiteers including a gingerbread house decorated in icy blue colours (£36). And there will be the exclusive UK launch of Keller + Mani Chocolate: the creation of Thomas Keller, celebrated chef of the Michelin-starred French Laundry.

Selfridges’ Confectionery Hall will also have exclusive galaxy-decorated chocolate spheres from The Chocolate Libertine and exclusive new flavours from Stach, while Selfridges Bakery counter will launch exclusive vegan patisserie from Black Lemon, who will create edible snow globes and coal.

HAMPERS

This year Selfridges will debut a new look for its hamper range with contemporary gift boxes and grey wicker hampers with canvas linings and yellow leather straps. The range will include an exclusive host gift (The Diptyque x Selfridges Gift Box £160) and a selection of fresh gift boxes suitable for foodies. They will feature Stilton & Port (£40), Honey & Cheese (£45), Salmon & Whisky (£100) and Caviar & Vodka (140). There will also be exclusive lines from The Wolseley Collection (from £100).

WINE & SPIRITS

For the first time, Veuve Cliquot will add iridescent hues to its signature yellow arrow tins, exclusively for Selfridges this Christmas. The tins will be available for personalisation in-store and online. Cambridge Gin will be debuting its Cambridge Dry Gin & Tonic exclusively at Selfridges. The artisan gin brand’s first ‘ready-to-drink’ gin and tonic will be presented in a celebratory champagne style bottle. And for those looking for a unique gift, Crystal Head x Mickael Bouali (Sixmik) has interpreted Selfridges’ ‘Future Fantasy’ scheme by hand-painting intricate galaxies and futuristic cityscapes across the surface of its skull-shaped vodka bottles, available in 20cl – 3ltr.

 

Le Creuset’s exclusive white marble cast iron dish (£295)