London’s Most Fashionable Afternoon Tea In Celebration Of Coco Chanel

14.12.2023 - 15:10 / forbes.com / Marlene Dietrich / Lauren Bacall

A few fashionable streets away from the stucco-fronted The Kensington Hotel, in South Kensington, culturalists have been lining up at the V&A to take in its blockbuster Gabrielle Chanel. Fashion Manifesto exhibition. One of the most popular exhibits in recent years, and the first UK exhibition dedicated to the work of ‘Coco’ Chanel, it chartsthe evolution of the designer’s iconic design style and the establishment of the House of Chanel. With over 200 pieces, it charts Chanel’s meteoric rise, from the opening of her first millinery boutique in Paris in 1910 to the showing of her final collection in 1971.

Featuring rarely seen pieces, highlights include one of the earliest surviving Chanel garments from 1916; original costumes designed by Chanel for the Ballets Russes production of Le Train Bleu in 1924; outfits created for Hollywood stars Lauren Bacall and Marlene Dietrich; an early example of Chanel's ground-breaking evening trousers and ensembles from Chanel’s final collection of 1971. In short, it is a fashion lover’s dream exhibit.

As one of the most stylish hotels in this quarter of London, The Kensington Hotel has also set about to celebrate Chanel’s innovation and design dedication, seen across some 60 years in the fashion industry, in its own inimitable style. The High Fashion High Tea gives the traditional culinary pastime a fashionable twist, with Tiffany-blue porcelain plates and an illustrated menu adding to the sartorial theme all in honour of Gabrille ‘Coco’ Chanel.

Taken in the hotel’s elegant dining room, which boasts period fireplaces, panelled walls and intricate plaster-work, the meal includes a selection of sandwiches—such as egg mayo and grapefruit; cream cheese and Chapel & Swan smoked salmon and apple & cumin with pickled cucumber. As well as scones with clotted cream and jam, there are exquisite pastries, such as a slice of Opera Cake; dark chocolate and vanilla macarons and a dainty orange and almond cake, shaped like a handbag.

A choice of tea has been sourced from The Rare Tea Company and includes Earl Grey and ‘Cloud Tea’ (a mix of Assam and Darjeeling); green and white teas as well as a herbal selection. You can also opt for a glass of bubbles or a specially curated cocktail, in collaboration with Maison Perrier-Jouët. ‘Mademoiselle’, for example, comes in a retro Champagne coupette and is made with Lillet Rose, Italicus, Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut NV and Elderflower. It has ‘caviar’ beads at the bottom of the glass and, when stirred, the pale pink drink turns inky-black as an ode to the designer’s ‘Little Black Dress’ fame.

“Luxury must be comfortable, otherwise it is not luxury,” Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel famously said, and so, to carry on this sentiment, The Kensington has