The Hermes Peacock

Found this in the Hermes airport boutique on our way to Shanghai - thought it was a clever idea of displaying their ties. Pity the colours & patterns shown weren't more inspiring....

Designer Hotels - Art Series

In Melbourne, we have the ArtSeries Hotels which are inspired by prestigious Australian Artists. The concept was developed by William Deague, a property developer and self confessed devotee of Australian Art who had the vision of creating a series of boutique hotels each based on a particular artist.

What a great idea! I'm waiting for my phone call - I would love to create a hotel!

The Cullen Hotel named after Adam Cullen:

The Olsen Hotel named after one of my favourite artists John Olsen:

The Blackman Hotel named after Charles Blackman

(All images from the Art Series Hotels)

Designer Hotels - viva la france!

A couple of years ago, we had the pleasure of staying at Hotel Bellechasse in Paris which is designed by Christian Lacroix. A really lovely and decorative hotel, 1 min walk from the Musee D'Orsay (perfect for avoiding the queues!). Our room had butterflies on the ceiling and virtually every single space was covered in pattern. His other hotels include Hôtel du Petit Moulin and Le Notre Dame.

(Images from Hotel Bellechasse)

Designer Hotels - Bellisimo!

Armani, Missoni, Moschino, Versace, Fendi and Bvlgari are all renowned Italian brands who have also all made their mark in the hotel world.

Missoni has hotels in Edinburgh and Kuwait:

(Images from Hotel Missoni)

Giorgio Armani has applied his sophisticated, elegant Italian chic in Dubai and Milan:

(Image from butterboom.com)

(Image from butterboom.com)

(Image from www.elegantresorts.co.uk)

(Image from www.elegantresorts.co.uk)

Fendi has Villa Laetitia in Rome, Ponza and Ronciglione:

(Images from Villa Laetitia)

Maison Moschino in Milano looks such fun:

(Images from Maison Moschino)

The one and only Palazzo Versace here in Queensland, Australia:

(Images from Palazzo Versace)

Bvlgari has a resort in Bali (wonder if I can stay here?) and hotel in Milano:

(Images from Bvlgari)

Designer Hotels - Part 1.

If you've guessed by now, I love staying at nice hotels whenever I travel and can afford to splurge. So it's going to be a bit of shock when we're living/ travelling more 'moderately' in Asia! It's always been one of my dreams to actually design a hotel myself, well furnish the rooms, set the ambience and serve the food I want to eat etc. This week's blog will take a peek at some of the fashion designers, artists and brands which have made the crossover into hotel design.

First up is Fashion Designer Diane Von Furstenberg for Claridges Hotel in London.

(Images from Diane Von Furstenberg)

Artistic Influences 2

Here's some more 'blasts from the past'.

Ken Done - the iconic Australian Artist who really captured our 

'quintessential Australian lifestyle'

Image from Ken Done

Kaffe Fassett - his use of colour and knitwear is amazing even though

it would not be something I would wear!

Image from craftcast.com

Jean Michel Basquiat - I love his work 

(and secretly would love to be able to paint naive and childlike again)!!

Image from anthagonics.files.wordpress.com

Issey Miyake - his fashion and philosophy to his 'art' was inspiring

to me when I studied textile design.

Image Issey Miyake

Another Japanese designer Kenzo

Image from www.smh.com.au

Artistic Influences

This week's theme was kick started yesterday by artist Sandra Boynton. It's all about re-visiting artists/ designers whom I think had a profound influence on my artistic career growing up as a child from school to college. It's a weird, eclectic group of people but I think that there is a common theme of colour and quirkiness. Much like my work today.


Who were your favourite artists/ designers when you were growing up?

Here's some of mine:

Versace - I loved all his over the top prints and colours. His designs celebrated pattern, glitz and opulence (much like the 90's I think).

Image from Zone7Style

I loved Benetton not only for their wonderful coloured knitwear but also their thought provoking advertisements.

Image from http://rozeanafonseca.wordpress.com

I loved all the impressionists, in particular Monet and Pissaro. 

Image from www.intermonet.com

Japanese Woodcuts - can you see a theme happening here?

Rob Ryan

Another Rob - this time, renowned UK artist Rob Ryan. His work is exquisite and has lots of charm.

Image from www.iartillustration.com

Image from rarehornlessunicorn.files.wordpress.com

Image from Rob Ryan

Image from Rob Ryan