Diane von Furstenberg to Design Guestrooms and Suites for Claridge’s

Claridge’s, one of the world’s most famous hotels, is collaborating with legendary fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg to bring her signature style to a series of twenty guestrooms and suites, the first of which was unveiled on 23 June 2010.

For more than a century, Claridge’s has stood as an emblem of timeless elegance in London and is the hotel where Diane von Furstenberg has been a loyal guest for the past three decades.

“Claridge’s is the most glamorous hotel in the world,” said 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.”

One of the world’s most celebrated designers, Diane exemplifies the modern global nomad, traveling the world for inspiration and drawing upon her own experiences in her designs. Travel is her muse and in 2008 von Furstenberg’s first cruise collection drew inspiration from Claridge’s, the hotel that has been her home away from home in London since the 1970’s.

“Our collaboration with the talented Diane von Furstenberg is the latest storyline within our history of forward thinking design,” said Stephen Alden, CEO Maybourne Hotel Group. “Diane’s personal love and passion for Claridge’s provides a unique perspective which she has drawn upon in executing her creative vision.”

Designed in collaboration with longtime friend and interior decorator Olivier Gelbsmann, the hotel’s legendary Piano Suite will be one of the first to be unveiled. Each guestroom will boast its own DVF style whilst preserving the Art Deco heritage of Claridge’s. Beautiful contemporary prints, Chinese florals in big, bold scale and animal patterns are just a few of the styles presented in the chic, inspiring spaces. Each bedroom will have a Diane von Furstenberg custom designed cashmere blanket in sumptuous colour combinations.

Four star pieces including a dressing table, travelling trunk, desk and cocktail bar, all inspired by Diane von Furstenberg’s travels and the mobility of campaign furniture, were created for some of Claridge’s guestrooms and suites. The dressing table recalls trips to Italy, the traveling trunk evokes images of caravans and stylish steamer trunks, while the cocktail bar resembles jewellery boxes found in the Middle East. Each room will also feature furniture handmade by British craftsmen and light fixtures that have been created in the UK and Paris using Murano glass. The rooms will also display photographs taken by Diane von Furstenberg on her travels through Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

The window dressings, inset wall coverings and upholstery, feature DVF’s exclusive textile collection which will be available to interior designers and consumers in September 2010. Cotton canvas fabrics range from a black and white ikat print to a bold wide stripe. The contemporary selection of fabric combined with the elegance of Claridge’s sets the contemporary yet refined tone of the rooms.

The Piano Suite’s bedroom will be a light and dreamy compliment to the bold living room, featuring a pale thistle and off-white design scheme and a bleached solid oak four-poster bed. All glasswork found throughout the suite will be Murano and boxes and trays have been specifically hand-crafted in Bali. The floor coverings utilize Diane von Furstenberg’s handcrafted rugs from The Rug Company, a long time design partner. The handmade, luxurious wool and silk rugs feature signature modern animal patterns in dark chocolate brown and ivory, and will be inlaid within the suite’s hardwood flooring.

 Diane von Furstenberg’s guestrooms and suites will compliment the bespoke design legacy of Claridge’s while celebrating the future of the Art Deco jewel. Home to the legendary Claridge’s Bar and Fumoir, Claridge’s has played host to royalty, celebrities and heads of state.

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