September 21, 2015
Alice in Wonderland Afternoon Tea at The Dorchester, London
Luxury brands are embracing the beloved story of “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” with a selection of treats paying homage to the novel’s 150th anniversary.
Written in 1865 by Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland, as it is known to most, tells the story of a young girl’s travels through a rabbit hole where she discovers a realm of whimsical and peculiar characters who tug on concepts of logic and nonsense. The story has left its mark on popular culture and is one of literature's most beloved tales, yielding retellings through the years in the form of spin-off novels, cartoons and Hollywood films.
Down the luxe rabbit hole
Brands celebrating Alice in Wonderland have taken to using the infamous Mad Hatter’s tea party scenes as a frame of reference to share their love of the novel and its characters.
For instance, The Dorchester Hotel in London is hosting its very own Mad Hatter’s Afternoon Tea during the last week of October. Although an annual occurrence at the property’s The Promenade, the event includes themed pastries, finger sandwiches and homemade scones in addition to a performance by the English National Ballet School and passages read from the book.
English National Ballet School as the cast of Alice in Wonderland at The Dorchester
The anniversary celebrations at The Dorchester gives guests the chance to win signed copies of Robert Douglas-Fairhurst’s “The Story of Alice: Lewis Carroll and the Secret History of Wonderland” and a special gift-edition of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland with front and back pages designed by Vivienne Westwood.
British department store Fortnum & Mason is also celebrating all things Alice with promotions for its exclusive Halcyon Days’ Alice in Wonderland anniversary tea set. The bone china collection includes teapots, cups and saucers, mugs and platters with the novel’s original illustrations and quotations from notable characters such as Alice, the Mad Hatter, the White Rabbit and the Cheshire Cat.
Halcyon Days' Cheshire Cat coffee mug, exclusive to Fortnum & Mason
Taking cues from Alice in Wonderland is also chocolatier Charbonnel et Walker’s collaboration with British brand Alice Through the Looking Glass on a collection of boxed chocolates. The box’s interior and exterior include illustrations from Alice in Wonderland including the scene depicting an “Un-birthday.”
The chocolate box includes milk, white and dark chocolates with fillings such as the Red Queen’s strawberry fondant, the Mad Hatter’s milk truffle and others, per Lux Worldwide.
Alice in Wonderland-themed chocolates by Charbonnel et Walker
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