This September Bulgari Hotel London in Knightsbridge will launch a collaboration with acclaimed multidisciplinary artist and designer Yinka Ilori. The contemporary Italianhotel commissioned the London-based British-Nigerian artist and designer to reimagine the afternoon tea stand as a sculptural work of art in celebration of its 10th year inLondon. The launch of the Yinka Ilori X Bulgari Hotel London Afternoon Tea on Friday 16th September coincides with the opening of Yinka’s first institutional show at theDesign Museum as the city prepares to celebrate London Design Festival and Frieze Art Fairs. Yinka’s playful designs enliven the public real musing his signature combinationof colour and pattern, and his window façade of geometric designs and bold visual style at Bulgari Hotel London will be instantly recognisable. Specially designed afternoon teastands based on stacked and interlocking spheres will take centre stage.
An artwork created for the occasion will recur as a motif across the hotel, from a vibrant takeover of the building’s facade, to the linen napkins on the tables which will also beavailable to purchase as a limited edition giftset. Afternoon tea pastries inspired by Yinka’s anniversary design for the hotel are created in collaboration with the artist by award-winning Italian pastry chef and chocolatier-in-residence, Gianluca Fusto. Yinka Ilori said, “I am extremely excited to have worked with Bulgari Hotel London for its momentous10th anniversary. My designs for this collaboration celebrate London’s cultural mosaic and the joy of coming together over food. The tea stands are based on the geometry of thesphere and the meeting of different cultures, and I hope people will gather at the hotel and enjoy a vibrant and colourful dining experience through the afternoon tea.”
General Manager Kostas Sfaltos commented, “We were drawn to Yinka for his obsession with colour, the distinctly optimistic spirit of his bold and contemporary work, and itscelebration of the diversity of the capital. That celebration of colour draws a parallel with Bulgari’s heritage as the master of coloured gems, and the colourful design changes wehave made to Bulgari Hotel London over the past year.”
Pastries developed by pastry chef and master chocolatier Gianluca Fusto introduce autumnal combinations of Italian dried fruit with almond, pistachio, hazelnut and peanut,designed inform to complement the bold geometry and contemporary colours of Yinka’s sculptural tea stands. The selection of Italian sweet treats includes ‘Pistachio’, a chouxpastry creation filled with pistachio mousse, nougat and praline and ‘Mandorla’, an orange biscuit, almond cream and orange compote.
The news follows the unveiling of The Bulgari Lounge’s recently refreshed interiors for the anniversary year. The Bulgari Lounge offers elegant all-day dining in the comfort andglamour of an Italian-style ‘living room’ with a cosy fireplace for cooler days.
