With The House of Gucci making cinematic waves this week – “Father, son and House of Gucci” – we thought we would take a look at another fashion-meets-design story that is being showcased artfully in the newly designed Royal Suite at London’s Savoy Hotel. Pauline Brettell and editor Hamish Kilburn take a look inside…
The Savoy Hotel and Gucci have a shared history, which, although it might not have started on an equal footing, has become intertwined over the decades – and has in recent weeks has turned a new chapter. The iconic address on The Strand, which stands today as London’s first ever luxury hotel has collaborated with the fashion house. The collision of the two iconic brands in the hotel’s Royal Suite is as much a statement as it is a meeting between design and fashion. And, it goes without saying, the suite’s new decor is a fitting tribute to the centenary year of the Gucci fashion house – much more than simply a PR stunt in order to promote the upcoming House of Gucci film.
The narrative here began when Guccio Gucci, Founder of Gucci, started his working life as a young man as a porter at the Savoy. His time spent there exposed him to the tastes and demands of the luxury traveller in the early 20th century, and as such was the start of his story, providing him with the impetus and inspiration he needed to start his own luxury leather good production on his return home to Italy.
Image credit: London Savoy
This shared history and inspiration is now being celebrated with the unveiling of The Royal Suite by Gucci – both brands are unsurpassed for the quality and attention to detail that is apparent throughout the design and decoration of the suite. In addition, the attention to detail has been extended to include curated experiences for guests and customers.
“I’m so delighted that The Savoy is partnering with Gucci in such a creative way in the fashion house’s centenary year,” said Franck Arnold, Managing Director at The Savoy, who was recently profiled in The Brit List 2021 as one of the UK’s most influential hoteliers. “It’s wonderful to bring alive our shared history to contemporary audiences, and we’re excited to unveil a transformed Royal Suite, as well as providing guests with charming experiences and exceptional service that befit two brands with such global renown.”
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- Image credit: London Savoy
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- Image credit: London Savoy
The starting point for this particular collaboration was first seen earlier this year in April, when Gucci chose to reveal its new Aria Collection at a private screening at the Savoy. The collection was seen to include nods to the hotel and its role in shaping the fashion brand.
The next step in this partnership has seen the Royal Suite at The Savoy being transformed to reflect the world of Gucci, sensitively using furniture and decorative items from the Gucci Décor Collection. The collaboration was then taken a step further with the addition of carefully curated art and antiquities from Christies to complement both the Savoy experience and the Gucci aesthetic. Both the furniture and decoration from the Gucci collection, and the art and antiques from Christies, are available for guests to purchase, making the suite a personalised and possibly one of the most luxurious, shopping experiences.
As we celebrate a moment in both brands’ history, we can’t help feel reminded of the power of reinvention within the luxury hospitality industry. And, arguably, there is no finer example of a hotel that has continued to transform with the aim to meet new demands from modern travellers while also staying robustly true and respectful to a storied history that can never be rewritten. The world waits in anticipation for the pages of this hotel’s endless narrative to turn once more.
Main image credit: London Savoy
