Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.It's a bikini that looks good enough to eat. A biscuit à la Miu Miu piped with navy and white icing in the form of a barely-there bikini makes up part of The Berkeley Hotel's Summer Prêt-à-Portea, a collection of designer cookies, pastries and biscuits inspired by the latest runway fashions for the well-heeled fashionista who drinks her tea pinkie up.
In addition to a selection of elegant canapés and tea sandwiches, nibbles are outfitted by some of the world's most popular designers. The London hotel's pastry team pays homage, for instance, to Chloé's summer clutch in the form of praline and gold chocolate beads.
Victoria Beckham's signature summer tote is recreated in peach-colored sponge cake and a chocolate crocodile print; Stella McCartney's summer citrus print motif is interpreted in orange, blueberry and lemon mousse, papaya, red currant, and topped with pate de fruit; and a Marc Jacobs jumpsuit is made with raspberry and lychee cream and accented with an oversized chocolate flower belt.
The hotel also collaborated with Thomas Goode of Mayfair which produced a bespoke collection of Paul Smith fine bone china to be used for the tea.
The collection is changed every six months to follow the trends in fashion.
The afternoon Prêt-à-Portea is served in the hotel's Caramel Room from 1 pm to 6 pm every day for £36.50 (€42). Add a glass of champagne and that goes up to between £46.50 (€53) to £53 (€60).
Earlier this month, pastry houses and couture designers collaborated in an outdoor exhibit Haute Cuisine Paris, to showcase the allied crafts of haute cuisine and haute couture.
Also in Paris, Café de la Paix near the Opera Garnier also collaborates every year with a fashion designer to create a new dessert. Thierry Mugler's Rosemary Rodriguez created a dessert called Pop Fizz last year.
And a New York-based food blog featuring 'The Food Life' of fashion designers like Alexander Wang is also set to launch this week.
For more information on the tea service, visit http://www.the-berkeley.co.uk/fashion-afternoon-tea.aspx.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments