Anyone who has ever owned a Christmas jumper knows that they are only meant to be worn for decorating the Christmas tree or as a joke at the office party. In terms of fashion statements, they tend to scream sartorial horror.
But one London artist has banked his life savings on turning a festive woolly into a luxury garment with a spectacularly dazzling price tag.
Yes, for just £30,000, you can buy the glittering garment which cost £7,000 and six months to make.
Encrusted with diamonds and gold, Aidan Liban’s design boasts a reindeer and silk-lining and it is officially the world’s most expensive Christmas jumper.
The previous record-holder, created by online retail company Tipsy Elves in 2016, was covered in 24,274 crystals and cost £24,000.
Having spent 3,000 painstaking hours on the project, Aidan plans to donate a portion of the cash he hopes to gain for the jumper, to the National Health Service. (NHS).
‘I had a vision and I made it come true’, he said. ‘I wanted to create something magnificent and eye-catching – which I have done.
‘I improvised a lot when making it; I just have an eye for where each element needs to go.’
The former art student, who studied at Central St Martins, in London, wanted to achieve a luxurious take on the ‘ugly Christmas jumper tradition’.
He admits: ‘Christmas jumpers were never really in my family tradition, so I thought I’d do it in style,’ he said. ‘Whoever does buy it can wear it, but it isn’t washable as it’s so delicate.
‘The time it’s taken me is the main factor in the price tag, it took me so long. I’ve only had time to work on it in evenings and weekends.
‘I’m broke now so I need to get it sold. I think it’s worth every penny.’
Aidan had a race against time to finish the garment for Christmas even though he started it last December.
No expense has been spared – 24-carat French silk costing £300 as well as 2000 Swarovski crystals set him back an eye-watering £1,000.
As to the 150 diamonds which make the silver stars near the collar of the jumper, they were bought for £5,000.
Aidan explains: ‘The main body of the jumper is made from wool and cotton, it’s lined with gorgeous silk too. The diamonds have small imperfections, meaning they wouldn’t suit jewellery but are perfect for the jumper.
‘It took quite a while to source the perfect ones. They’re embedded in lovely raw silver stars. The reindeer even has a Swarovski gold locket around its neck.’
Aidan believes that the jumper tells a story… may be that he’s created the world’s most expensive joke?
