SWFTjumper - Hattie Bishop
An artist is selling the world's most expensive Christmas jumper - a £30k diamond encrusted festive number - which took him over six months to make.
Aidan Liban, 33, spent his life-savings on the luxury garment in an effort to raise funds for the NHS.
The jumper - which cost £7k to make - boasts a reindeer design adorned with diamond encrusted silver stars, 24 carat gold threading, Italian silk lining and is covered in thousands of Swarovski crystals.
The previous record holder, at £24k, was made by Tipsy Elves in 2016 and came covered in 24,274 crystals.
The former art student hoped to achieve a luxurious take on the 'ugly Christmas jumper tradition'.
The idea struck him during lockdown 2020 when he was living alone and working part time as a key worker at a charity.
After spending 3,000 hours on the hand-crafted project, he now hopes to sell the jumper for five figures and plans to donate a portion of the cash.
Aidan - who also works as a stylist to the stars - from Fulham, London, said: "It is a true piece of art.
"I had a vision and I made it come true.
"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.
"Christmas jumpers were never really in my family tradition, so I thought I’d do it in style.
"Whoever does buy it can wear it, but it won’t be 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."
He started the project in December 2020, after spening months sourcing the right materials and working late into the night.
Despite all his hard work Aidan found himself in a race against time to have the piece ready to sell during the festive season - only finishing it in November 2021.
The 24-carat silk was ordered from a specialist French shop, costing £300.
The 2000 Swarovski crystals cost £1,000 and the Italian silk lining in dark navy was over £200 alone.
The 150 diamonds - which adorn the silver stars near the collar of the jumper - were bought from a Hatton Garden specialist and cost around £5,000.
Aidan, who studied at Central St Martins, in London, said: "No expense has been spared at all.
"I’ve done pretty much all of it myself aside from a few very delicate bits.
"The main body of the jumper is made from wool and cotton, it’s lined with gorgeous silk too, it’s soft like a kitten.
"The diamonds have small imperfections, meaning they wouldn’t suit jewelry but are perfect for the jumper.
"It took quite a while to source the perfect ones.
"They’re embedded on lovely raw silver stars.
"The reindeer even has a Swarovski gold locket round it's neck.
"The jumper tells a story, it’s a fun novelty piece.
"It’s very rare that something of this quality is made, it’s very exciting.
"I want it to wow people and break up the doom and gloom we’ve been hearing about for the past few years.
"I kept it a secret from most of my friends and family, they were enthralled when I did the big reveal.
"I’m serious about selling it, it’s listed on my website if anyone is keen!"
For the second year in a row, the artist is spending Christmas working at the charity.
The jumper is available at: www.mostexpensivejumper.co.uk and you can find more of Aidan's work at @aidannft
ENDS
