July 29th, 2013

From Haute Couture to Haute Hotel

Armani, Dubai; Bulgari, Milan; Diesel, Brazil; Louis Vuitton, France; and Versace, Australia – contrary to what you may think, these are not fashion stores, but are hotels.

The tourism real estate industry has joined forces with fashion designers to re-invigorate hotels in the wake of the global financial crisis.

The Cheval Blanc, owned by Bernard Arnault, chair and CEO of Lousi Vuitton Moët Hennessey, is the most desirable place to stay in the French Alps. Karl Lagerfeld commissioned photographs to line the walls of the rooms, which feature velvets, faux furs and leathers.

Moschino’s fanciful hotel in an old Milan railway station is like a dream. It even boasts a tea-cup theme in its Alice in Wonderland suite.

Australia hosts the world’s first fashion hotel, Palazzo Versace on the Gold Coast. Lavish with Versace’s signature opulence, it abounds in stone, marble and luxurious fabrics.

The trend to fashion hotelerie is only likely to increase as global wealth creation increases, according to global property consultancy, Knight Frank.

They found that hotels in the Middle East linked to a luxury brand were valued around 60% higher than un-branded hotels nearby.

Source: http://designbuildsource.com.au/check-in-couture-six-fashion-and-hotel-collaborations