[trip style = luxury]
A few months ago I wrote about designer-inspired hotels and decor, mentioning Posh's potential hotel deal in Dubai, Armani's growing brood of properties and stylist Amanda Ross' consulting gig for W. It's safe to say these Paris Fashion Week regulars agree that fashion and travel are not exclusive, and a trend gaining steam like celebrities and their signature perfumes/colognes is haute couture hotel collaborations. The latest recruits to high fashion hotels are Gucci and Diane Von Furstenberg (DVF). Here are some details:
Gucci
It appears Dubai is the place to be, er, have a hotel right now. Elisabetta Gucci, daughter of famed designer Paolo Gucci is opening a hotel in Dubai later this year. The 87-room luxury boutique hotel will feature all the accoutrements of high-end hoteling plus an exclusive limousine service and roof-top lounge. Once you pay an estimated $420 for a basic room, you'll be able to buy anything in the hotel--from furniture to slippers. I expect those will be the nicest hotel slippers you ever wear, monogrammed and all. This project isn't that much of a stretch for the Gucci heiress given she works in the design world creating interiors, furniture and art. And according to Reuters, this fashionista means business, in addition to the Dubai Hotel opening late this year, she's also planning another 40 over the next 15 years in the Middle East, Far East and South America.
DVF
First it was her iconic wrap dresses, then suitcases, now hotels. Not too shabby. The always-classy DVF will plunge into the world of interior hotel design at London's Claridge's Hotel. Here's what she has to say about the partnership "One of my fondest memories was when I was in London as a young, independent businesswoman and stayed at Claridge’s. I knew I had made it. To me, Claridge’s is the most glamourous hotel in the world; I regard it as my home away from home, to me, Claridge's is the most glamorous hotel in the world." She'll lend her expertise to 20 rooms where she'll use her iconic prints, bold colors and original furniture to add her signature style. Don't miss her custom cocktail bar and personal travel photography on the walls. Want to stay at this prestigious address? A weekend indulgence package including a one night stay, a chilled bottle of bubbly and a traditional English breakfast will cost approximately $455---I'm assuming this won't include a newly-appointed DVF room launching this month.
And this is only the tip of the iceberg, Jaunted pulled together a list of 19 designers including Louis Vuitton, Salvatore Ferragamo and Todd Oldham with hotel design engagements all over the world.
[photo credit: claridge's, gucci ad, DVF]