Tennis star Emma Raducanu unveiled Harrods’ glittering “Fabulous World of Dior” Christmas lights to kick off the festive season on Thursday.
The 19-year-old — who is Dior’s British ambassador — was accompanied by Michael Ward, managing director of Harrods; Pietro Beccari, chairman chief executive of Christian Dior; and Charles Delapalme, managing director of Christian Dior, as she hit the power on the winter presentation at the world-famous London department store.
This year’s decorations were gingerbread-themed, with globes and stars hanging from the facade on Brompton Road.
Speaking at the event, Raducanu — who broke records with last year’s sensational US Open victory — said: “It was amazing to see the turnout and the support for such an amazing exhibition.
“I think that it’s never been done before to take over all of the shop windows here at Harrods, so just a testament to Dior’s great work.”
Noting that Dior first took over a corner of the classic British upmarket store in the Fifties, Mr Beccari said: “This is one of the biggest things we ever did together.”
The elaborate holiday set up comes as the luxury sector grows strongly, despite the cost-of-living crisis.
“We’re atypical — we focus on the really ultra-high net worth individuals, and they haven’t really been hit by the crisis," said Mr Ward.
Mr Beccari said there were ongoing challenges from China’s Covid lockdowns and store closures in Russia, but that there was still “a great appetite for luxury".
Inside the store, the French fashion house set up an exhibit of gingerbread-style renditions of buildings from the life of its founder, filling them with intricate displays open for public viewing.
