Pulitzer x David Laport

Pulitzer Amsterdam has long been known for blending heritage, design, and quiet luxury, but each winter the hotel adds another layer of magic with its annual Christmas tree. This year, the hotel partnered with Dutch couture designer David Laport, whose sculptural pleats and architectural silhouettes have dressed icons like Rihanna and Solange and earned him international acclaim. His nine-metre installation, Festive Sparks, now stands in Pulitzer Garden as a shimmering ode to craftsmanship, texture, and light, a couture Christmas tree inspired by the hand-embroidered 3D work of his latest collection, the energy of fireworks, and the hotel’s own eclectic design language. It was this collaboration that drew me to Amsterdam for two days of boats, ateliers, candlelight, and gentle festive glamour.

Wednesday began with an early flight into Amsterdam, where my driver, Saïd, greeted me with a warmth that melted my usual post-flight quiet. We swapped stories about our favorite trips and those serendipitous moments that make travel feel transformative. At the Pulitzer, I settled into a corner with a coffee to catch up on emails before wandering into the Pulitzer Garden for lunch. I ordered the black truffle pasta, rich and indulgent, paired with roasted pumpkin that was sweet and comforting. The service was quietly impeccable.

 

My room was ready soon after: a serene canal-facing space with a double bed and a view that felt like stepping into a Vermeer painting. Dutch waffles, sparkling and still water, and a beautifully tiled bathroom stocked with Debaser products (some of the best-smelling hotel amenities I have ever encountered) completed the welcome. After unpacking, I headed to The Beauty House for my treatment with Zoë. The facial began with a warm foot soak before moving into an hour-long non-surgical lifting ritual using the 111Skin Intensive Collection, including an exfoliating peel, a sculpting massage, and their NAC Y2 formula. Between the calming music and her expert hands, the entire experience felt as though the day’s tension had been carefully ironed away.

 

 

Dinner at Jansz closed the evening, but the next morning began early with breakfast back at the same restaurant before meeting the group in the lobby. Pulitzer had arranged for us to board The Tourist, their 1909 saloon boat with polished teak, brass details, original bevelled glass, and the charm of a moving museum piece. There is truly no better way to see Amsterdam than from its canals. As we glided along the water, just as winter was beginning to settle over the city, I tucked myself toward the back of the boat, watching the facades and bridges roll past in a soft, muted palette.

 

 

The boat delivered us straight to David Laport’s atelier, a bright and intimate space that revealed the full story behind Festive Sparks. Moodboards lined the walls alongside embroidered samples from India, architectural pleats, and the hand-beaded black dress that has become one of Laport’s signatures. He explained how important it was that the tree carried his couture language rather than becoming a simple decorative piece. He could have created a classic bauble-covered design, he said, but the joy and the integrity lay in crossing his world with Pulitzer’s. Seeing the craftsmanship up close made the installation in the garden feel even more alive.

 

 

The boat collected us once more and carried us back for the tree unveiling. Guests gathered in the garden as a jazz band played warm, festive melodies. The tree itself, towering and champagne-toned, glowed like a sculpture of light, its form catching every shift of movement. Canapés were served on David Laport napkins, an unexpectedly chic detail, and inside the hotel, a pop-up offered the chance to try pieces from his latest collection. I slipped into a gold jacket that shimmered so beautifully, I joked that I looked like the star meant for the top of the tree, though the temptation to buy it was very real.

 

 

We then settled in for an intimate dinner: burrata with chanterelle and black garlic, Jerusalem artichoke with black truffle (which, I adore), Seabass with celeriac and beurre blanc, and a white chocolate tartelette with pine needles and orange sorbet. Each course had a unique wine and signature spark cocktail pairing, and the table quickly filled with conversation, laughter, and that rare sense of ease that only arrives when strangers begin to feel like friends.

 

 

Later, back in my room, I packed quietly for my early flight. Outside, the canal shimmered under the streetlights, calm, steady, and impossibly beautiful. Two days is never enough in Amsterdam, but somehow the city always manages to make even the briefest visit feel complete. Boats, ateliers, scents, craftsmanship, warm conversations, and a tree that proved that couture can live far beyond the runway. I looked out at the water one last time before closing the curtains, grateful for a trip that felt rich in detail and generous in spirit. Amsterdam has a way of staying with you. This time, it left a little sparkle.