A MAGICAL FESTIVE LORO PIANA CELEBRATION AT HARRODS

by John Russel Jones



Loro Piana is celebrating the holiday season at Harrods with its Workshop of Wonders, a collaborative takeover featuring the iconic Brompton Road façade, 36 windows, two pop-up shops, and various immersive animations. The installation honors Loro Piana’s 100-year legacy, blending its signature fibers, fabrics, and artisanship into an enchanting holiday experience.

The Brompton Road façade captivates visitors with the tale of Loro Piana’s luxurious fibers, symbolized through bales floating through intricate machinery that transforms raw materials into fabric. This magical process culminates in a towering 17-meter holiday tree adorned with lush fabric and ornaments. Each of Harrods’ 36 windows contributes to this immersive experience, telling stories that highlight the world’s finest materials and the artisans who transform them. These scenes trace fibers from far-flung locations like Mongolia and the Andes to Loro Piana’s factory in Italy, showcasing the skillful journey from raw material to luxury product.

The Workshop of Wonders captures Loro Piana’s commitment to craftsmanship, incorporating elements of marionette theater, exposed mechanical workings, and artisanal handcrafts. The scenes are inspired by the 1920s, with earthy wood textures, warm tones, and touches of matte gold. Hand-painted puppets, fluffy clouds, and delicately crafted animals, such as baby goats, bring Loro Piana’s world of fibers to life. Through this theatrical journey, visitors experience the artistry and heritage behind each piece crafted by Loro Piana’s “Masters of Fibers.”

The Workshop of Wonders, open from November 7 to January 2, 2025, also celebrates Loro Piana’s centennial milestone with new pop-ups and boutiques. Visitors can explore two unique spaces: one for Loro Piana Kids and one for Loro Piana Interiors, showcasing exclusive products that honor the brand’s legacy and the festive spirit.

Facade and Window Displays

The Brompton Road façade and Harrods windows come alive with Loro Piana’s stories of wonder, showcasing fibers like Vicuña, Baby Cashmere, and Pecora Nera, alongside archival pieces, iconic bags, and the Maison’s Su Misura service. The main window centers on a rotating globe above a miniature factory, marking the journey from the fibers’ origins to Italy, symbolizing the craftsmanship and global reach of Loro Piana’s materials. A holiday tree decorated with signature fabric swathes brings a festive glow to the display, while the iconic Harrods Green Man adds a whimsical touch, symbolizing the deep partnership between the two brands.

From the Andes to Mongolia, Loro Piana’s displays celebrate fibers and their origins, telling tales like Pecora Nera, inspired by New Zealand’s naturally dark sheep, and The Gift of Kings, which highlights merino wool sourced from select pastures. Flying goats, spinning suns, and master artisans complete the scenes, showing the intricate beauty of Loro Piana’s products and their evolution from raw materials to luxury goods.

Harrods Exclusives

The holiday season also brings exclusive items developed for Harrods, including a curated collection of ready-to-wear, accessories, children’s clothing, and home goods in festive hues like holiday red, green, and white. Men’s and women’s collections highlight understated luxury with equestrian and British influences, featuring cashmere, silk, and merino wool fabrics. Signature items like the tassel-adorned Dot Sole loafers and exclusive Rebecca ballet flats provide versatile choices for day and evening looks, while tailored eveningwear offers a refined option for formal gatherings. The men’s White Sole shoes, inspired by sailing, are rendered in natural shades, balancing heritage with holiday elegance.

Pop-Up Shops and Interactive Experiences

Inside Harrods, two pop-up shops bring the Loro Piana experience to life. Door 6 hosts a workshop-themed setup with displays of leather goods, embroidered scarves, and plush goats and alpacas. This space offers customized options, where visitors can personalize the Grande Unita cashmere scarf with embroidered initials, creating a one-of-a-kind keepsake.

At Door 9, the interactive “Cashmere Atelier” invites visitors to create festive ornaments using Loro Piana’s fibers. The space showcases the brand’s Cuddly Toys made from Cashfur, a luxurious blend of cashmere and silk. These items serve as whimsical desk ornaments or holiday decorations, celebrating Loro Piana’s signature materials in a playful way. Also on offer is Loro Piana’s first book, *Masters of Fibers*, which chronicles the brand’s transformation from wool trading to a world-renowned luxury house.

New Boutiques: Kids and Interiors

Harrods now features two new Loro Piana boutiques: one dedicated to the Kids Collection and another to Loro Piana Interiors. The Kids boutique is adorned with warm hues and pops of orange, offering items for ages up to 12. It includes cozy parkas, embroidered vests, and cashmere dresses. The Interiors boutique showcases the “Art of Good Living” collection, which includes luxurious throws, table linens, and handcrafted games. Loro Piana’s core values of quality and craftsmanship are evident in each item, from oak furniture and leather details to throws and bedding in Pecora Nera® and Baby Cashmere.

Loro Piana’s collaboration with Inglesina brings sophistication to the newborn range, featuring a custom stroller crafted from water-repellent linen and cotton, adorned with the classic Suitcase Stripe. The Cashfur Winter kit, which includes hand warmers and a mat for the baby, brings a final touch of luxury to this collaboration.