The Riggs hotel holiday tree unveiling is a much-anticipated social event in the nation’s capital, bringing a touch of fashion cheer to the city. This year, Christopher John Rogers was tapped to design the tree for the stylish boutique hotel. “I was really excited by the opportunity to bring our aesthetic into a different space,” Rogers told WWD. “We’re always looking to do things outside of just fashion and put our stamp on new territories.”
The tree is a striking visual feast, with bold colors and dramatic silhouettes, combining Rogers’ signature high-octane style with Farrow & Ball’s rich, handcrafted artisanal papers. The designer said he was inspired by the dramatic front grilles of luxury cars. Oversize ribbons in vibrant hues cascade down from the branches of the 18-foot tall tree. “There is something about those giant bows on the front of brand new cars,” Rogers said. “They are so celebratory and milestone-worthy, with the drama and excitement. We wanted to bring that same sense of occasion to the tree.”
Hundreds of hours of painting and fabrication went into creating the tree. Rogers explained each bow began as paper that was hand-cut and -painted, and then scaled up to size for the soaring tree. The colors used to paint the tree are from Rogers’ Carte Blanche collaboration with Farrow & Ball. Each of the 12 hues is inspired by childhood memories of food and family from the designer’s childhood in the Louisiana bayou. The shade names range from Lobster, Shallot and Licorice to Sardine, Hog Plum, Pea Flower, Tomatillo and Blue Maize.
The tree was also brought to life with more that 400 custom ornaments, from milk bottles to giant lobsters and corn on the cob, each saturated in a color from the collection. “Everything was done by hand — it was really important to us to maintain that level of craftsmanship and attention to detail,” Rogers explained.
“When we designed the Carte Blanche collection with Christopher John Rogers, we wanted to encourage people to have fun with decorating, to play with color and pattern. This is the perfect time of year to share that message again,” said Charlotte Cosby, creative director at Farrow & Ball. “During the holidays, we decorate with a freedom, a joy and a boldness we wouldn’t normally. It’s a time when our inner child comes out, our imagination is unleashed, and the possibilities seem endless. The unusual ornaments represent the collection, but also go to show that you can use anything as a decoration if you want to.”
The final touches include Australian crystal to add sparkle and swags of richly colored Farrow & Ball wallpaper, also designed by Rogers.
As Washington prepares for a political transition next month, Rogers, who has dressed former First Lady Michelle Obama and Vice President Kamala Harris, emphasized the importance of staying true to his brand’s values of honesty and forthrightness. “Regardless of where the world is going, putting out what we want to exist is the most important thing,” he said. “This tree feels like what we want the world to be.”
