ANTI:DOTE x Fairmont Singapore x the British Library

Where Literary Storytelling Meets Luxury Afternoon Tea

The Brief

Fairmont Singapore wanted to create a distinctive literary dining experience for ANTI:DOTE that could introduce British Library collections to contemporary hospitality audiences. The challenge was to transform the 1919 Cinderella retelling by Charles Seddon Evans and Arthur Rackham’s illustrations into a sophisticated high tea while preserving the character and provenance of the source.

ARTiSTORY's Role

ARTiSTORY brought Fairmont Singapore and the British Library together and developed the cultural and rights pathway for Adventures in Storyland. We helped select the source material, shaped the narrative and creative direction, and provided briefs that enabled the hotel’s culinary, beverage and spatial teams to translate Rackham’s illustrations across the guest experience.

The Collection

The Cinderella-themed experience combined sweet and savoury creations, a handcrafted cocktail and mocktail, window treatments, chronological story decals and a large open-book photo feature. Menu details—including a pumpkin-shaped cake, glass-slipper pastry and castle-inspired tart—were developed around characters, scenes and motifs from the illustrated story.

The Outcome

Launched at ANTI:DOTE in March 2024, Adventures in Storyland established a literary high-tea format that made a British Library collection accessible through hospitality. The concept connected archival illustration with food, drink, décor and social storytelling, and provided the foundation for a subsequent Alice-themed instalment.

Featured Artworks and Collections

Featured British Library Collections

The British Library is the national library of the United Kingdom and one of the world's most prestigious cultural institutions. It houses a vast literary archive spanning centuries, including rare, first-edition storybooks that serve as a foundational pillar of global storytelling and artistic heritage.

Cinderella, illustrated by Arthur Rackham (1919)

Featured on: "Adventures in Storyland" high tea menu and themed venue decor. The collection utilizes Rackham’s iconic silhouette illustrations and rich, period-specific motifs. These visual elements were meticulously translated onto a range of sweet and savoury treats—such as pumpkin-themed delights—and large-scale displays, including a dramatic photo wall shaped like an open book.

Project Gallery

Project Impact

Market Expansion/Impact

Marking a successful entry into the experiential "Location-Based Experience" (LBE) segment in the Singaporean luxury market.

Cultural Impact

By introducing art to younger demographics and international travellers, the programme ensures that historic literary treasures remain relevant in a contemporary social context.

Brand Impact

Enhanced positioning for Fairmont Singapore as a cultural destination, providing emotional value that differentiates its brand through exclusive, heritage-backed storytelling.

Project Tags

Product Development

Launch Details

Cultural Institution

the British Library

Launch Date

March 2024

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