Photo: PAUL COOPER/REX USA.We've placed our sartorial trust in a handful of key fashion designers. And, clearly, one of them is Choupette Karl Lagerfeld. So, is it then safe to assume that we'd be interested in experiencing anything Lagerfeld creates? Pretty much. It's no wonder, then, that he's one of several high-end designers partnering with hotels and spas to create a luxe travel experience.
Designer-designed hotels are nothing new — Oscar de la Renta has luxury villas in the Dominican Republic; Christian Lacroix has hotels in Paris. But, these partnerships are becoming something of a trend, with Beverly Feldman, Ilse Jacobsen, and, of course, Lagerfeld jumping on the well-styled bandwagon.
Speaking to her decision to venture beyond the runway, Feldman told WWD, "If you’ve been designing something for 40 years, like I have, sometimes you need a little diversity." The result is the Villa Finca Belon boutique property in Alicante, Spain, which has become a travel destination for shoe lovers and celebrities. Lagerfeld is creating two suites for the Hôtel de Crillon in Paris, set to open in 2015. And, we have no doubt the rooms will be fancy.
Extending a fashion brand to the hotel industry is a great way to appeal to the luxury traveler. And, as with every designer collaboration, we imagine those Lagerfeld suites will be consistently sold out.
(WWD)