BULGARI HOTEL LONDON AND YINKA ILORI TOGETHER CELEBRATE THE HOTEL’S 10TH ANNIVERSARY

^{Source: Courtesy of Bulgari}

A fresh take on afternoon tea

A modern Italian hotel chain hired Yinko Ilori, a British-Nigerian artist and designer based in London, to give a new look to the traditional afternoon tea stand. The resulting artwork will stylishly mark the 10th anniversary of this popular hotel. The Yinka Ilori X Bulgari Hotel London Afternoon Tea was officially launched on Friday 16 September. On the same date, Yinka’s first institutional exhibition at the Design Museum opened, as the London Design Festival and Frieze Art Fairs will soon take place in the city. Yink’s playful style enlivens the public space. In it, the artist works with an iconic combination of colors and patterns. With its glass facade made of geometric shapes and a distinctive visual style, his work at London’s Bulgari Hotel is very easy to recognize.

^{Source: Courtesy of Bulgari}

Stand, like from Alice in Wonderland

Specially designed stands for afternoon tea take center stage here. Their design works with a design of interconnected spheres. The motif of the work of art, created on the special occasion of the 10th anniversary, can also be found in other areas of the hotel – for example in the form of a fresh new facade or on linen napkins, which can also be purchased in a limited gift edition. Confectionery for afternoon tea, inspired by Yinko’s unique design, is created in collaboration with the artist by Italian master pastry chef and master chocolatier Gianluca Fusto. Yinka Ilori says: “I am very pleased to have been able to cooperate with the Bulgari Hotel in London on the occasion of the 10-year anniversary. My designs in this case celebrate London’s cultural mosaic and the joy we feel when we come together for a meal. The design of the tea stands is based on spherical geometry and symbolizes the meeting of various cultures. I believe that people will meet at their hotel and enjoy the lively and colorful atmosphere of afternoon tea.”

^{Source: Courtesy of Bulgari}

Candy, like a work of art

General Manager Kostas Sfaltos adds: “Yinka blew us away with his obsession with color, the unique optimism hidden in his distinctive and modern work, and the way he celebrates the diversity of this metropolis. His work with colors parallels the historical legacy of the Bulgari jewelry house, which is renowned for its masterful processing of colorful precious stones. It’s also in line with the color design changes we’ve made at London’s Bulgari Hotel over the past few years.”The confectionery, created by head pastry chef and master chocolatier Gianluca Fusto, brings autumnal combinations of Italian dried fruit with almonds, pistachios, hazelnuts and peanuts. Its design complements the bold geometry and modern colors of Yinka’s sculptural afternoon tea stands. The selection of Italian sweets includes a piece called “Pistacchio” (a pastry pastry filled with pistachio mousse, nougat and roasted nuts) or “Mandorla” (combining orange tea pastry, almond cream and pickled oranges).

^{Source: Courtesy of Bulgari}

Unveiling the new premises of the hotel

Another novelty is the unveiling of the Bulgari Lounge, the interior of which has been newly modified on the occasion of the anniversary. In the Bulgari Lounge, you can dine stylishly throughout the day in the pleasant and elegant atmosphere of an Italian-style “living room”. On colder days, you will appreciate the warm fireplace here. The Yinka Ilori X Bulgari Hotel London Afternoon Tea can be enjoyed at the hotel from 19 September 2022, Monday to Sunday, between 14:00 and 17:00. By prior booking only, price from £95 per person. A limited edition of 200 gift sets (4 pcs, 50×50 cm) of napkins are on sale directly in the Bulgari Lounge pastry corner at the Bulgari Hotel in London, online through the hotel’s gift shop https://bulgarihotellondon.giftvouchers.uk.com/ with UK delivery and to https://shop.yinkailori.com/ for delivery abroad.