Christmas trees designed by Chanel, Dior, Elie Saab and Prada go under the hammer for charity

The 21st edition of the "Designer Christmas Trees" charity auction will be held November 21 at the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées in Paris, France, with some 30 Christmas trees reinvented by big names from the worlds of fashion, design, photography and art due to go under the hammer.

All money raised from the festive auction is donated to charity.

"Designer Christmas Trees" was founded by fashion journalist and producer Marie-Christiane Marek, who still presides over the event's organization. As well as celebrating creativity, design, plus high-end expertise, the event serves to raise money for good causes.

Proceeds of this year's auction will be donated to fund cancer research, under the patronage of Professor Khayat, oncologist, and President and founder of the Paris Charter Against Cancer (Charte de Paris contre le cancer).

Chanel, Prada, Dior

A host of big-name fashion houses and labels have once again signed up to create their own "Designer Christmas Tree" this year, crafting a unique and personal take on the traditional decoration.

As well as designing an original Christmas tree, this year sees designers and fashion houses invited for the first time to create gifts to place under their tree. Attendees will therefore be able to snap up exclusive creations from fashion designers, as well as sculptures, photo prints and works of art. This year's theme is "Gold and Light."

Chanel, Dior, Chantal Thomass, Christian Lacroix, Elie Saab, Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, Jean Paul Gaultier, Lancel, Prada, Ungaro, Stella McCartney, Francis Kurkdjian, Christian Ghion, Jean-Jacques Ory, Olivia Putman, Rachid Khimoune and Marlène Mocquet are among the artists and designers signed up to take part in the 2016 event.

This 21st edition of "Designer Christmas Trees" includes three main events. First, the switch-on of the Christmas lights in Paris' Avenue Montaigne, November 18. Next, the unique Christmas trees will go on public display, November 19 and 20, at the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, ahead of the gala evening and auction (by invitation only), November 21, also held at the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées.

The 21st "Designer Christmas Trees" auction is held November 21, 2016, at the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, 15 avenue Montaigne, 75008 Paris, France.