COVID – 19 DISCLAIMER – It is impossible for me to continue writing this blog without acknowledging the current world health crisis. I just want you to know that I take the consequences of this crisis seriously and my continuation to publish light hearted and whimsical content is not intended to be insensitive. Instead it serves as light entertainment and escapism in these current uncertain times. Of course, I’m not suggesting anyone go against government advice in terms of going out or travel but I just hope to give a some inspiration for the future and happier times.
I was invited to review the Runway Afternoon Tea at Four Seasons Hotel London at Ten Trinity Square and our food and drink was complimentary. I was not paid to visit and was not under contractual obligation to write this blog post or create content on any platform.
Four Seasons Hotel London at Ten Trinity Square have a fabulous new afternoon for the seriously fashion conscious. The Runway Afternoon Tea is brand new and inspired by the a gorgeous photography exhibition adorning the walls of the hotel’s Rotunda. Lagerfeld: The Chanel Shows is a celebration of the work of the late Karl Lagerfeld by British artist Simon Procter.
The vibrant scenes depict life inside the creative director’s world and highlights some of his most iconic sets – all taken by a photographer who knew him personally. 
Taking a seat in the lounge, I was joined by my bestie… and of course we discussed the crisis our world is in but we also tried to reflect on happy times and hope for the future. 
The tea starts with a choice of champagne and I highly recommend opting for the Ruinart which is so light and fruity.
The Runway Afternoon Tea takes inspiration directly from the photographs in the exhibition and each cake represents a particular scene. ‘The Garden’ is a matcha biscuit with pistachio, mint mousse and grapefruit confit and pays homage to Chanel Garden and the immaculate lawns that were used for the Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2019 runway. Monochrome is a black and white Battenberg cake with black sesame cremeux and candied orange, recalling the famous Chanel logo and the black and white theme at Lagerfeld’s final show.
The Hydrangea (my favourite) is a ginger shortbread with rhubarb compote and jasmine Chantilly and recalls Lily-Rose Depp’s ruffled pink bridal dress seen in Chanel Thousand from the Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2017. The ‘Rocket’ is a dark chocolate biscuit with yuzu-spiked coconut cream and is from the space age Fall/Winter 2017 show, Chanel Ultra Rocket.
It wouldn’t be afternoon tea without a selection of finger sandwiches (the usual suspects: salmon, cucumber, coronation chicken and egg) along with super soft and fluffy scones and a selection of rare teas. If you fancy a different tipple there’s the Harlequin cocktail, created by Director of Mixology, Harry Nikolaou, it is comprised of gin, rhubarb, almond blossom, clarified grapefruit and Mancino Sakura, finished with whitened lemon and diet cola jelly, the designer’s favourite drink.
We absolutely loved the Runway Afternoon at Four Seasons Hotel London at Ten Trinity Square, and it was the perfect stylish way to spend the day!
The exhibition will until June 30, 2020 and is free to visit. The tea and cocktail will run alongside it.
Four Seasons Hotel London at Ten Trinity Square
10 Trinity Square
London
EC3N 4AJ
