Designer Eric Raisina Creates Christmas Tree for Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor

Move over, John Galliano. Another fashion designer has worked his magic on a yuletide surprise, this time in the lobby of Siem Reap's most elegant hotel, the Raffles Grand Hotel d'Angkor. You may have seen his fashion on the runways of Yves Saint Laurent, Christian Lacroix and New York Fashion week, but now Madagascar-born, Cambodian-based designer Eric Raisina has crafted a Christmas tree that's sure to get tongues wagging. Inspired by traditional life on the Mekong River, Raisina designed a non-traditional tree out of fishing equipment used by local Cambodians. Adorned with hand-woven fishing nets and bamboo fishing rods and baskets, the tree takes center stage in the lobby of the glamorous hotel. The recent Christmas Tree lighting ceremony heralded the start of festivities throughout the hotel which will culminate in the highly-anticipated New Year's Eve Gala celebration by the pool, with fireworks ringing in 2011.