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This Christmas, thanks to The Doyle Collection’s Slice of the City initiative, designed to provide insider access and immerse guests in the local culture, history and shops, The Kensington is partnering with Patrick Mavros, a local luxury brand specialising in jewellery and accessories inspired by Africa. Building on The Kensington’s love for animals, evident from the large elephant sculptures in the hotel lobby, the partnership will be bring a little piece of Africa to The Kensington, this festive season, through a range of offerings. The Kensington’s Christmas tree will be adorned with beautiful handmade and hand-printed ceramic animals, which will be floating around the tree on angel wings, as well as, mini gift boxes wrapped in their trademark white paper with silver elephants. What’s more, in collaboration with Patrick Mavros, The Kensington’s stylish and intimate cocktail bar, The K Bar, has created a special African inspired cocktail named ‘The Plight of the Pangolin’. Made with Elephant Gin and dressed with a bespoke Patrick Mavros Pangolin swizzle stick, the cocktail will be available throughout the festive season. The Pangolin is the most trafficked animal in the world and is now threatened with extinction however, through the hotel’s collaboration with Patrick Mavros, they are hoping to bring awareness to this lesser known endangered species, with 15% of each cocktail sold going to the Tikki Hywood charity. The charity strives to bring awareness and conservation practice to the lesser known threatened animals, as well as, running successful captive breeding and release programs through Zimbabwe, in efforts to grow dwindling wild populations. In addition to the funds raised from the cocktail, the award-winning Elephant Gin donates 15% of its proceeds to African elephant conservation. The Patrick Mavros brand was founded 35 years ago when then-soldier, Patrick, carved a pair of earrings for his wife, Catja. She wore them to the hair salon, where the hairdresser fell in love with them and instantly requested a pair for herself. From this loving gift, the business was born into what is recognised today as a uniquely African and distinctively exotic, luxury brand. The Mavros sons, Alexander, Forbes, Patrick Jr and Benjamin are all passionately involved in the family business. Marrying intricate craftsmanship with an intrepid family heritage, the Mavros’ have not only designed extraordinary creations but have also created an environment just as magical and bold. At home, the workshops, the family homestead, the wildlife sanctuary and the studio are all built to form a small village on the family estate in the wild hills outside Harare in Zimbabwe. Patrick Mavros’ London flagship store is located in Chelsea, just a stones throw away from The Kensington.
HOW: The ‘Plight of the Pangolin’ cocktail is available for £15 between 20th November 2017 – 4th January 2018. Rates at The Kensington start from £235 www.doylecollection.com