It was only a matter of time before the woman named the most powerful in fashion by Forbes magazine would take her magic touch from ready-to-wear to interior design. Her signature prints that define her global luxury brand translate onto not just dresses but to entire suites in London.
European luxury is most often found in the history of its architecture. Keeping the grandeur of earlier centuries while meeting the needs of modern accommodations were the ideas behind one of the world’s most legendary fashion icons, Diane von Furstenberg, and London’s exclusive Claridge Hotel.
Diane von Furstenberg has kept a residence at the Claridge since the early 1970’s. Her collaboration with longtime friend and interior designer, Olivier Gelbsmann, features rooms with handmade furniture as well as photographs taken by Diane von Furstenberg during her travels through Europe and Asia. The hotel’s legendary Piano Suite boasts contemporary prints, Chinese florals, and bold scale animal patterns with custom-designed cashmere blankets.
“Claridge is the most glamorous hotel in the world,” says von Furstenberg. “Hotels like this don’t exist anymore and the legacy must be respected. It is very important to keep the original architecture and the formality of the layout of the rooms in order to preserve the old style of grand hotel life that I love so much. It has been a true privilege to design new furniture, fabrics, and rugs to keep it relevant for today’s needs and taste.”
Von Furstenberg’s inspiration is clearly displayed in every room. “Diane’s personal love and passion for Claridge’s provides a unique perspective which she has drawn upon in executing her creative vision,” commented Stephen Alden, CEO for the Maybourne Hotel Group. “Our collaboration with the talented Diane von Furstenberg is the latest storyline within our history of forward thinking design, he added.
Since its opening in 1898, Claridge has been a desired destination of choice for decades. The Diane von Furstenberg guestrooms and suites combine the legacy of design while celebrating a glorious and timeless elegance as it continues to play host to royalty, celebrities, and heads of state. Owned and managed by the Maybourne Hotel Group in Mayfair, London, Claridge is one of the three most renowned hotels in the world. Diane von Furstenberg was founded in 1972 and has grown into the global luxury lifestyle brand it is today. The DVF collection of fabric and design combined with the Claridge’s grandeur sets a modern yet pristine ambiance in every room.
Pieces including a dressing table, traveling trunk, desk and cocktail bar, were inspired by von Furstenberg’s travels. The dressing table is reminiscent of her trips to Italy, the traveling trunk bears imagines of caravans and stylish steamer trunks, and the cocktail bar contains designs inspired by jeweled boxes found in the Middle East. The window dressings, inset wall coverings and upholstery, feature DVF’s exclusive textile collection. The Piano Suite’s bedroom is light and dreamy complimenting the bold living room. All glasswork found throughout the suite is Murano that were hand-crafted in Bali. The handmade wool and silk rugs feature DVF’s signature animal patterns in dark browns and ivory.
The history of Claridge and the innovative collection of Diane von Furstenberg worked together to showcase a premiere luxury hotel. Her originality combined with the architecture of decades of decadence created a distinct style in each room. With her signature style, Diane von Furstenberg continues to add to the luxury that has remained a constant in both her collection and the legacy of Claridge. Celebrated as one of the world’s most famous designers, von Furstenberg mixed the magic of her travels into the original designs of Claridge’s early beginnings. Maybourne hotels are committed to delivering authentic and unique guests experiences that reflect the individual nature of its hotels. Adding Diane von Furstenberg’s exclusive designs to the suites and guest rooms continues the tradition of Claridge’s reputation as the “Art Deco jewel of Mayfair.”
