This year marks a century since the Paris Exhibition of 1925, the international showcase that catapulted Art Deco to the global stage. And nowhere is this glamorous milestone being celebrated more fittingly than at Claridge’s, London’s legendary Mayfair hotel, whose Deco interiors have long epitomised the opulence of the era.
To honour the 100th anniversary of Art Deco, Claridge’s is unveiling a glittering yearlong celebration inspired by the exuberance of the Roaring Twenties and its most iconic socialites — the Bright Young Things. With a curated series of experiences, collaborations and immersive moments, the hotel invites guests to step into the stylish world of the 1920s in all its decadent glory.
Living Like a Bright Young Thing
Once a favourite haunt of the original Bright Young Things — the flamboyant aristocrats and artists who lit up interwar London — Claridge’s is channelling their free-spirited legacy through an imaginative programme of events. Think Charleston masterclasses by vintage dance troupe The Bees Knees, Cecil Beaton-era cocktails in The Fumoir served in original Lalique glassware, and even a Bright Young Things sleepover featuring everything from Hanky Panky cocktails to limited-edition copies of Flappers and Philosophers by F. Scott Fitzgerald (himself a former Claridge’s guest).
For history lovers, Claridge’s monthly Art Deco Tours offer a fascinating glimpse behind the scenes, led by in-house archivist Kate Hudson. Guests can admire rare design elements such as Jacques Adnet’s Deco doves and original Lalique pieces personally gifted to the hotel by René Lalique himself.
Art, Fashion, and Jazz Age Glamour
As part of this centenary celebration, Claridge’s is also hosting an intimate series of Art Deco Salons. Held in The Painter’s Room, these gatherings feature some of the hotel’s cherished collaborators — from vintage fashion expert Virginia Bates, to scent specialist Alice du Parcq, and floral maestro Richard Eagleton, who will delve into the 1920s in bloom.
A highlight for aesthetes will be the Cecil Beaton’s Fashionable World exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery in October — a fitting homage to the renowned society photographer whose life and lens were closely intertwined with the hotel.
And for guests looking to fully immerse themselves in the mood of the Jazz Age, Claridge’s will also offer Great Gatsby-inspired pre-theatre dinners, a carefully curated 20s jazz playlist, and screenings of classic films like The Artist and Midnight in Paris.
A Tribute to Timeless Elegance
As Claridge’s archivist Kate Hudson notes, “To celebrate this Art Deco centenary, we’ve dug deep into our treasured archives to find rare pieces that create a window into the hotel’s history at the heart of the Bright Young Things era.” The result is a stunning tapestry of artefacts — from vintage Tatler covers to Art Deco dance cards and geometric luggage labels — that paints a picture of a truly gilded age.
Whether you’re an Art Deco devotee, a lover of vintage glamour, or simply craving a taste of 1920s escapism, Claridge’s promises a year unlike any other.