5 hotel merch collaborations that make a statement

THE CARLYLE X SPORTY & RICH

Few hotels hold the same cult status as The Carlyle in New York. As far as aspirational stays go, this is Mecca. A kind of Chateau Marmont for the American east coast, the hotel has a list of past and present celebrity guests would exhaust the word count for this article; the Kennedys, Marilyn Monroe, Truman Capote, Elizabeth Taylor, Hunter S Thompson ... Once upon a time, Jackie O and Audrey Hepburn were spotted having a heart-to-heart in the lobby. Anthony Bourdain called it “completely nuts”—in the best way possible.  When I stayed at The Carlyle in 2019 on a trip with Rosewood Hotels, which has managed the hotel since 2001, Stella McCartney was casually sat at the table next to mine during afternoon tea in The Gallery.

But if you can’t book a room, you can still rock the merch. The Carlyle has a line of clothing made in collaboration with Sporty & Rich, a brand that’s gained its own cult following for its elevated cosy vibe, grounded in nostalgic sportswear codes. In a very Upper East Side palette of deep forest green, merlot, soft heather grey and ivory, the collection is made up of cashmere sets, cropped hoodies, oversize shirts, varsity jackets and caps, stamped with the logos of both The Carlyle and Sporty & Rich.

RITZ-CARLTON X LATE CHECKOUT

Ritz-Carlton’s partnership with the edgy Madrid-based fashion label Late Checkout was an unexpected move for the legacy hotel brand. Yet somehow, these strange bedfellows proved to be a perfect match. Late Checkout has built its brand around what happens behind hotel room doors, with retro-inspired imagery of in-suite shenanigans—and its rise to fame is perfectly timed to the hospitality world’s shift toward a more candid, carefree approach. The collaboration's second capsule collection, released in November last year, is made up of preppy pieces like rugby polos, crewneck sweaters, logo caps and even a varsity-style sukajan jacket.

The release of each collection was accompanied by a short film directed by Rogelio González and produced by studio and production company Little Spain. Both Late Checkout: A Ritz-Carlton Story chapters follow actor Josh Hutcherson as he navigates Ritz-Carlton properties—The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong hotel in the first film and The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko, Japan, in the second—finding himself in surreal scenarios and experiencing the hotel brand legendary service. It was a great way to showcase pieces from the capsule collection, too.

DESA POTATO HEAD X MAX LAMB

Dubbed a “creative village” by founder Ronald Akili, Desa Potato Head is its own living, breathing ecosystem—one rooted
in an unshakeable commitment to protecting Bali’s heritage and natural habitats. At its Waste Centre, rubbish collected from
all over Bali is cleaned, sorted and then recycled into what has become a signature for the hotel: a colourful, speckled resin used to make products found throughout the property—from cups and coasters to soap dispensers, in-room rubbish bins to chairs. One chair, for example, is made from the recycled waste of 833 plastic bottles.

The Wasted brand is designed in collaboration with British artist and designer Max Lamb. “[Lamb] always lets the material guide the design,” says Dan Mitchell, Potato Head’s creative director. “A lot of designers want a perfect material, but the fun part of using waste is that what you’re going to get is unpredictable, it’s all different colours. Essentially, a new aesthetic has emerged out of the challenge of waste.”

Guests can buy these products at the property’s Circle Store, along with clothing—the merch has become a favourite among fans. You’ll find swimwear and hats made from recycled nylon, tops and trousers tie-dyed with plants, and pieces that offer a contemporary take on traditional Batik.

See also: Why Desa Potato Head is at the peak of cultural and environmental influence

RAFFLES X PRINTEMPS

Even the prestigious Raffles group has made moves—and short movies—to strip its stuffy reputation, giving travellers a glimpse of its more playful side. In a series of photos and videos shot by fashion photographer Dylan Don under the direction of Trey Laird, the founder, chief executive and chief creative officer of creative agency Laird+Partners, Raffles introduced us to its The Butler Did It campaign.

The debut episode was shot at Raffles Singapore and starred actor Waris Ahluwalia, fashion icon Robert Rabensteiner and model May Siu. The second instalment, released last September, featured Crazy Rich Asians star Henry Golding, alongside up-and-coming talents like Parisian model Amalie Gassmann and British actor Oli Green, all causing a bit of chaos at Raffles London at the OWO, housed in the city’s Old War Office.

Omer Acar, CEO of Raffles Hotels & Resorts, says, “While ‘The butler did it’ is often the answer to whodunnits, our campaign depicts the butler as the hero of any occasion, no matter now unconventional. With a vibrant aesthetic and sense of wit that is inherent to the Raffles brand, this bold campaign celebrates the hallmarks of the Raffles experience, including the ways our Butlers create magic at every turn.”

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