Get your glad rags out this Christmas and begin the often dreaded task of Christmas shopping by stepping aboard the sophisticated and luxurious surroundings of the British Pullman.
Back by popular demand and for the second year running, Christmas Shopping on the Rails, will see guests welcomed onboard to enjoy a delicious festive four course lunch whilst travelling through the scenic Kent countryside. Afterwards, they will be free to wander through the carriages, each with unique Art Deco marquetry panels and brass or chrome fittings and a fascinating history.
In each carriage, passengers will discover enticing displays from some of Britain’s greatest luxury brands, including Ettinger, ESPA, Cocorose London, Alex Monroe, Signature Boutique by Orient-Express, Harrods, Daniel Sandler and Johnstons of Elgin, ready to assist with ideas for beautiful festive gifts.
Harrods
Iconic British landmark store Harrods, established in 1834, is renowned for its grand shopping space which stocks the very best luxury items throughout its 330 different departments. The famous Food Halls include every gastronomic indulgence imaginable and Harrods expert food buyers source only the highest quality products. Harrods will be exhibiting a selection of the famous Harrods food and wine Hampers and giving advice on choosing the ideal assortment of delectable treats from the Harrods Food Halls to suit individual tastes. www.harrods.com
Signature Boutique by Orient-Express
The Signature Boutique of Orient-Express features unique gifts, accessories and luggage inspired by the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express and its sister trains, hotels and cruises worldwide. Items include beautiful pieces of jewellery, items for the home, tote bags and bespoke items of luggage, to name a few. The collection was introduced in 1982 to mark the launch of the revived Venice Simplon-Orient-Express and British Pullman trains. Since then, further travel experiences have been added, and with them new gift collections. All have inspired collections that reflect local cultures and feature fabrics and workmanship for which their destinations are famed. www.orient-expressboutique.com
Ettinger
Royal Warrant holding luxury leather goods and accessories company, Ettinger, designs and hand-crafts an extensive range of leather goods items and accessories which are handcrafted in the UK by Ettinger craftspeople and come in a wide variety of leathers and colour-ways. Ettinger will have on display a selection of products from its extensive portfolio of bags, photo frames, leather covered note and address books, jewel boxes and jewel rolls, as well as men’s and ladies’ accessories, wallets, purses, key and card holders. www.ettinger.co.uk
Daniel Sandler
With 20 years experience and an award winning cosmetics range to his name, British talent Daniel Sandler is considered a leader in his field. Daniel has worked on high profile fashion shoots for top glossy magazines, backstage on a number of major fashion shows, as well as with high profile celebrities for red carpet events. Daniel spent over four years developing his self-titled cosmetics range, drawing from his experience as a professional makeup artist to create products of the highest quality that simplify makeup for women of all skin tones. On show will be a range of the new Autumn Winter colour collection along with hints and tips on how to wear it from Daniel himself, as well as Daniel Sandler’s first venture into the luxury candle market with the Daniel Sandler ‘In Love’ candle, made in collaboration with artisan candle crafter Jonathan Ward. www.danielsandler.com
ESPA
ESPA are to be found in prestigious spas across five continents and are dedicated to producing results-driven, natural skincare that is a pleasure to use, ensuring your skin looks at its best at every stage of your life. To ensure the highest standards, ESPA products, as unique as they are effective; are tested each and every day by a highly trained global network of therapists based in 55 countries. ESPA are proud to be a British company who manufacture their products in their own state-of-the-art factory based in the UK, guaranteeing quality from ingredient sourcing right through to delivery. It is this combination of expertise and rich spa heritage that creates a unique brand that has won over 125 coveted awards in the last 3 years and ensures ESPA is a brand you can trust. www.espaonline.com
Alex Monroe
The Alex Monroe brand was established in 1987, when Alex set up his first studio in South London to design and make jewellery. Over twenty years on, the demand for Alex’s jewellery is now worldwide, and available on-line alongside fashion institutions such as Liberty, Harrods and Net-A-Porter. Alex’s love of wildlife transcends into instantly wearable pieces, which are always right on-trend, and stores and boutiques across the UK frequently report sell- outs, with many pieces gaining waiting list status. The simple beauty of nature features throughout Alex’s collections, which makes his detailed designs a firm favourite with the A-list, worn by style mavens Carey Mulligan, Emma Watson and Sienna Miller, the fashion pack, and women all over the world – of all ages. 2012 has been an incredibly exciting year for Alex Monroe, with the opening of his first stand alone shop, in London Bridge. www.alexmonroe.com
Cocorose London
Established in 2007, Cocorose London’s boutique, designer collections of luxury foldable ballet pumps offer women a stylish alternative to wearing high heels. Designed by Founder and Creative Director Janan Leo, Cocorose London’s innovative and unique concept was inspired by what Janan terms ‘modern luxury’ and marries first-class design, superior comfort and practical functionality. Cocorose London is honoured to be an Official Gift Partner to the annual Orange British Academy Film Awards since 2010 and proud to have collaborated with the world-famous Royal Ballet to launch a capsule collection which debuted globally in Spring 2012. With a passion to help revive the heritage and tradition of making shoes in England, Cocorose London launched their ‘Luxury Heritage’ collection of beautifully hand-crafted, non-foldable ballet pumps last AW11. Cocorose London will showcase their signature ‘Classic Elegance’ range of foldable ballet pumps and their ‘Luxury Heritage’ made in England range of ballet shoes. www.cocoroselondon.com
Johnstons of Elgin
Johnstons of Elgin have been experts in cashmere and fine woollens since 1797. The last remaining vertical mill in Scotland to take cashmere from raw fibre to finished product. Johnstons of Elgin boasts heritage and provenance with outstanding craftsmanship. They have achieved an enviable position, through superlative quality, design and delivery of supplying some of the world’s best luxury brands with knitwear, accessories and cloth under the Made In Scotland label. www.johnstonscashmere.com
With such an array of outstanding British brands displayed in the unrivalled setting of the British Pullman carriages, guests will be spoilt not only for choice, but spoilt with the superb service of the liveried stewards, the delicious cuisine and accompanying wines, making this special shopping trip one to remember, for all the right reasons.
Glamorous and full of joie de vivre, the vintage Art Deco 1920’s carriages of the British Pullman provide nostalgia, fun and a dash of adventure as the train heads out of London on day trips encircling the British countryside to destinations including great cities, glittering social events and sporting occasions. Champagne flows and gourmet cuisine is served—a truly elegant experience and a once in a lifetime journey.
The ‘Shopping on the Rails’ trip costs £350 per person and departs from London Victoria on Thursday 6th December 2012. For further details and reservations visit www.orient-express.com/uktrains or call 0845 077 2222