Please note, this experience is solely for Afternoon Tea and does not include tickets to the exhibition.

The Kensington unveils Fashion Becomes Tea - an avant-garde Afternoon Tea inspired by the radical imagination and surrealist elegance of The V&A Museum’s highly anticipated exhibition, Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art, which launches on the same day, just moments from the hotel.

Drawing from the exhibition’s bold visual language and boundary-breaking spirit, the experience transforms haute couture into a sensorial journey of flavour, texture and form. Sculptural pastries, expressive colour palettes and unexpected flavour pairings evoke the drama and artistry of the runway, reinterpreted through the refined culinary lens of one of Kensington’s most elegant hotels.

A celebration of surrealism and craftsmanship, each element of the afternoon tea is designed with the same meticulous attention to detail found in couture ateliers - dramatic silhouettes, playful trompe-l’œil techniques and striking compositions that delight both eye and palate. 

Among the sweet highlights is Le Choux Shoe, a caramel choux bun filled with apricot gel and caramel chocolate, nodding to the Maison's iconic upside-down shoe hat, conceived in collaboration with Salvador Dalí, and on display in the exhibition. The Pink Parfum celebrates the renowned 1937 perfume, ‘Shocking’, featured in the exhibition, through a ruby chocolate bavarois layered with berry medley and cacao Sablé Breton, while The Iconic Atelier, shaped like an eye, is an homage to the surrealist movement and its impact on couture and culture - with a mandarin curd tart crowned with orange jelly and white chocolate ganache. Completing the collection is Le Trou de Serrure, an elegant espresso and mascarpone opera gâteau that celebrates Elsa Schiaparelli's Italian roots and French joie de vivre with inspiration from the original emblems and codes featured throughout the exhibition.

The savoury selection offers an expressive mix of both classic and whimsical elements. From cucumber, dill and cream cheese on black sesame charcoal brioche to roasted red pepper with hummus and black olive crumble, alongside coronation chicken with apricot, and a beetroot, pecan and goat’s cheese tart, complemented by the chef’s seasonal ever-changing savoury creation.

The Kensington’s signature scones - both plain and fruit - are served warm with clotted cream and homemade jam. Guests then progress through the series of surrealist pâtisserie creations, each inspired by the theatricality and bold aesthetic synonymous with the esteemed fashion house presented prominently in Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art.

To elevate the experience further, guests may pair the afternoon tea with Le Petite Bisou, a delicate yet intriguing cocktail combining Sauvelle vodka, Amaro Santoni, Champagne, lycheejuice and almond and hibiscus cordial, sealed with a contrasting black charcoal sugar lip-shaped garnish. Floral, sparkling and softly bittersweet, the drink arrives in a striking shade of pink.

A credit card is needed to secure your booking. If you fail to show up for your booking or do not cancel your booking more than 48 hours in advance you may be charged the full offer price. Please note this is a 'book now, pay when you dine' basis. When a booking is made via the site, there is nothing to pay until you dine, so your card will only be charged if you fail to show up for the booking or you do not cancel within 48 hours.

If you have any dietary requirements we kindly ask you to advise the hotel at least 48 hours before your reservation to allow the chef time to prepare. Items on the menu are subject to change to cater to dietary requirements.

*Please note* a 12.5% service charge will be added to the final bill.