"ARMADILLO HEELS" for afternoon tea - Luxury Retail
Alexander Mcqueen serves his”Armadillo Heels” for Afternoon tea at Prêt-à-Portea, The Berkeley London
At Pre?t-a?-Portea in London’s Berkeley Hotel, afternoon teas have already seen the designs of Miu Miu and Louboutain grace their cake stands. This Spring/Summer season they have teamed up with Alexander McQueen to bring you some style to their afternoon tea. Served with your tea will be two iconic designs – first is the “armadillo” heeled shoe made of delicious chocolate biscuit and the second, the feather butterfly hat made by Philip Treacy for McQueen in 2008, now made of dark chocolate mousse, chocolate miroir and delicate sugar butterflies. Both these McQueen creations are part of the ongoing Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty exhibition at the Victoria & Albert Museum.
A Giambttissta Valli inspired mini tower of light pink joconde sponge ruffled with raspberry crème suprème and topped with a dramatic pop of pink spun sugar, coconut and lime mousse set on a sablé Breton and served between some green leaf icing to resemble Oscar de la Renta’s iconic princess dress and Jean Paul Gaultier’s Crème de Menthe cremeux with dark chocolate ribbon and mint jelly finished with white orchid meringue, rhubarb crisp and edible purple petal. For cheesecake fans, Prêt-à-Portea will dish out a summer coat inspired by Emilio Pucci with light cheesecake and apricot Emanuel sponge, decorated with bold dark small chocolate buttons.
For those who would like to savor these delicacies with a sweetened drink, there is the Elie Saab-inspired Red Degrade Silk Georgette dress and the strawberry and mango blended bavarois with mango compote, topped with flame like sugar frill.
Adding more color and style to the spread is designer Anya Hindmarch, who has shared her Big Eye collection handbag – the edible version made from blueberry Victoria sponge wrapped in light blue chocolate with candied cartoon eyes and Lisa Marie Fernandez’s very eatable “Alexa” bikini – a chocolate shortbread draped with green icing and sweetly trimmed cream ribbon.
Savory skewers, taster spoons, elegant canapés, tea sandwiches and a menu consisting of teas, coffees and champagnes (on request) will complete the designer afternoon tea. Priced is £45 ($70) per person plus 12.5 per cent service charge.