An Exclusive Collaboration with Harrods
Behind The Scenes
The Artistic Venture Designing Exclusive Christmas Ornaments for Harrods 2014
The famed Harrods department store in London has drawn international visitors for generations, with some travelling to the city solely to experience the grandeur of the department store.
My recent visit to Knightsbridge and Kensington brought back memories of my past experiences with design partnerships, with the Victoria and Albert Museum and Harrods itself. It has been many years since my Christmas ornament collaboration with Harrods' Christmas bespoke Collective Display of Winter 2014.
That year's theme, “The Land of Make Believe,” captured the enchanting spirit of the season. With its emphasis on exclusivity and luxury, Harrods showcased a high-end Christmas aesthetic that blended fantasy with refinement—an experience that remains vivid.
The 2014 Harrods Christmas Collaboration , Handmade Holiday Art and the process
The 2014 collection was handmade in my UK studio, with samples sent directly to Harrods before final production. My collaboration was overseen by Sam Muxworthy, assistant buyer of Harrods, ensuring each ornament met Harrods' exacting standards for quality and design.
The distinctive colour palette was carefully curated to match Pantone gold and silver, a metallic overglaze applied over a fired glaze, shaping a sophisticated, iridescent effect to each piece, whilst emphasising Harrods’ annual and seasonal theme.
Each ceramic snowflake, bauble, and star decoration was a common motif, evoking the magical winter season and adding to the overall charm of the fir display.
To enhance the presentation of each design, the ornaments were accented with festive ribbons pigmented in red, green, white, and brown, crafted from organza, recycled wood, pulp, and cotton ribbon. These details gave the collection a sustainable yet premium appeal, fitting for the high standards of Harrods' Christmas décor.
Limited Edition Ornaments & Collectibles
Understanding that Harrods emphasises exclusivity, I carefully curated selection of designers and bespoke creations. My approach, as a ceramicist, focused on hand-painted, artisanal ceramics crafted from raw Celtic materials. Each ornament in the collection reflected this artisanal quality, blending refinement with seasonal cheer, aligning perfectly with curated, high-end seasonal displays.
Why Collectors Love Harrods Christmas Designs
Contributing to a collective project at such a prestigious venue, alongside renowned designers like Zuhair Murad, Stella McCartney, and Thom Browne, has provided me with invaluable experience in high-end design, collaborative creativity, and the execution of large-scale artistic installations.
Whether the contributor was a high-profile name or an independent designer, each brought something that appealed to collectors. We all followed a unifying theme that was emblematic and aligned with the style trends of the time — prioritising exclusivity, use of premium materials, sustainable elegance, and festive charm.
Even years later, the Harrods Christmas 2014 collection continues to be a reference point for my Christmas ceramic collections and luxury holiday gifts in the UK. Handmade, hand-painted, and thoughtfully designed, these ornaments reflect the perfect blend of craft and festive elegance and remind me of the history and development of my own enterprise.