NEW YORK — Express fused function and fashion to create uniforms for the staff of South Beach’s superchic boutique hotel, Hotel Victor.
Members of the Express design team had their work cut out for them: The uniforms had to be durable enough to withstand countless dry-cleanings, but light and breathable so the staff could work comfortably in the balmy climate. For the hundred or so employees, the design team looked to incorporate, among other things, its best-selling fitted Editor pants for women and the Producer pants for male staffers.
“A large component comes down to suiting,” said Pam Seidman, director of communications for Express. “But, it’s still Miami. Virtually every single component of Express can be used from suiting to sexy dresses.”
The uniforms range from heather gray suits worn by the front desk guest service agents to the rayon blend wrap dresses worn over leggings by the second-floor cocktail waitresses. Even the hotel’s cleaning staff will be decked out in black luxury suiting courtesy of Express.
“The shirting is where some of the more fun colors come in, but the uniforms themselves are more traditional,” Seidman said. “The hotel was adamant about [the staff] looking polished.” In addition to the clothes, Express also provided accessories such as dangling gold and silver jewelry.
The 90-room hotel is located on Ocean Drive, adjacent to the famed Versace mansion, in the heart of the Art Deco district. Just over one year old, the hotel was designed by renowned Paris-based decorator Jacques Garcia.
“When I was down there for the MTV Video Music Awards, I saw that there was a disconnect between the decor and the uniforms,” Seidman said. “I asked the manager if he would be interested in an update and he said, ‘Absolutely.'”
“As Hotel Victor is a boutique design hotel, it made perfect sense to streamline the hotel’s design concept not only through the physical aesthetics of the building, but also through our staff’s apparel,” said Carlos Sarmiento, acting general manager of Hotel Victor. “The Express brand couldn’t have been a more perfect match. The design keeps in tune with the hotel’s ultrahip, chic South Beach style.”
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The staff will break out their Express uniforms at a poolside party Friday night.