[travel trends] Looks like hotels are taking a cue from fashion. With icons like Jean Paul Gaultier designing for Target, and Miley Cyrus and Max Azria collaborating for WalMart, who is to say the same thing can't be done with hotels? Well, it is...
Recently, stylist Amanda Ross was named as the W Hotels Fashion Director. Part of the Starwood brand, W Hotels' 36 properties are aimed a stylish traveller who appreciates "modern travel and modern living," making the partnership all the more apropos. Ross has consulted for major designers as well as acted as the stylist for NBC's short-lived Lipstick Jungle. Although her first W project is under wraps, she mentioned she'll be visiting Barcelona this month and also heading to Paris for Fashion Week, and it just so happens a W is opening there next year.
What does 'Fashion Director' Mean? In the case of W Hotels and Amanda Ross' partnership, being the Hotel's fashion director means: - creating a strategic framework for W's global point of view on fashion - working with a designer to create staff uniforms & special collections for sale at W Hotels - styling the look of the rooms, lobbies and other common areas.
Ross' role with W Hotels is talked about as the "First position of it's kind for any hotel".....well kinda.
Armani
Armani has collaborated with Emaar Properties to create the "Armani Hotel Dubai" in the world's tallest building: Burj Dubai tower. Armani's hotel is apparently the first in a series of hotels, resorts and residences to be opened around the globe. You can already make reservations for the Dubai hotel which is supposed to open today, but rumor has it, the open will have slight delay.
Now Posh?
Late in January, there was a media frenzy concerning Victoria Beckam's 40.5 million dollar offer to design a hotel in Dubai with fellow fashion icon Karl Lagerfeld. Media reports note the singer-cum-designer was "stunned by the offer," but since then, no reports have surfaced about whether or not the deal will proceed.
What About Airlines? Most airlines have jumped on the celebrity chef bandwagon, but who is going to be the first to hire a Fashion Director to consult on uniforms and cabin decor?