Loro Piana is floating into Harrods on clouds of cashmere and vicuña for a grand-scale holiday takeover marking the Italian brand’s 100th anniversary celebrations. The Workshop of Wonders, which opens Thursday and runs until Jan. 2, is a family affair, an ode to textile craft, and a moment of Christmas whimsy meant to appeal to people of all ages strolling past the 36 window displays that run along Brompton Road and Hans Crescent. The goal is to show the Loro Piana journey ‘from sheep to shop’ and pay tribute to the people (and animals) around the world who supply, manufacture and create the luxury brand’s buttery-soft textiles, clothing and accessories. The windows, which also feature little wooden cogs and wheels, bolts of cloth, and finished clothing, are ‘a celebration of Loro Piana’s people,’ ranging from the company’s Piedmont, Italy, headquarters, to Mongolia, China, New Zealand, Australia, Peru, Argentina and Bolivia.
Starting on Dec. 12, those windows will come alive further with a physical-digital interactive game. The first pop-up, at Door 6, has a workshop-inspired display, with a leather worktable and a large industrial wheel that showcases Loro Piana’s leather goods and accessories. Items on offer include scarves, socks and beanies in cashmere, wool, and silk twill, some of which are decorated with signature bear and thistle flower motifs. Customers can also have initials embroidered on the brand’s signature fringed cashmere scarf while they wait. The pop-up at Door 9 is selling a variety of interiors gifts, including Loro Piana’s first book, ‘Master of Fibers,’ written by Nicholas Foulkes and published by Assouline.
Loro Piana has opened a newborn baby ‘pop-in’ shop at Harrods, which will preview a new stroller-bassinet, created in collaboration with Inglesina. It’s made from water-repellent linen and cotton canvas and includes a mat for the baby and hand warmers for the parents using a signature blend of cashmere and silk. To mark the event, Loro Piana has created an exclusive capsule of men’s and women’s clothing and accessories.
It includes tailored clothing and fabrics with equestrian touches, checks, and dedicated colorways, such as the signature Harrods green.