Mainland China's first W Hotel hosted an exclusive sneak preview featuring: an innovative hardhat tour; exclusive fashion collection by Uma Wang, China's first internationally successful fashion designer; interactive graffiti and sound styling by famous DJs from Hong Kong.
GUANGZHOU, China, Feb. 6, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Setting the scene for What's new/next in the vibrant city of Guangzhou, W Guangzhou recently hosted 'The Preview', an exclusive sneak preview to a select group of stylish, well-heeled guests. The event featured an innovative hardhat tour and the first 'happening'– the brand's renowned event created around its passion for design, fashion and music. Highlights of the 'Preview' included a fashion showcase by Uma Wang, China's leading fashion designer and internationally renowned contemporary fashion designer; interactive graffiti art performed by Zoe Gnc.; and the sound styling by famous DJs from Hong Kong featuring W Hong Kong residence DJ Angus Wong and celebrity DJ Miss Yellow.
As mainland China's first W Hotel, W Guangzhou will soon bring to China its interpretation of style, modern luxury and design, featuring cutting-edge architecture and interiors by an eclectic assemblage of international designers when it opens in the first quarter of 2013. At 'The Preview', guests were immersed in a multi-sensory experience of W Guangzhou's bold new approach to design, cuisine, entertainment and hospitality.
“It is thrilling to welcome our first guests to experience W Guangzhou," said Brian Segrave, General Manager, W Guangzhou. “We're excited to offer a special insider access to What's new/next. W Hotels infuses each of its properties with our passion for design, fashion and music. We look forward to delivering these passions with a uniquely Guangzhou twist, creating a one-of-a-kind experience for visitors."
During the event, guests were introduced to innovative installations found throughout W Guangzhou, including the stunning 19 meter tall “Luminous Water Wall" in the entrance of the hotel. Developed by WETDesign, the Wall was inspired by impressionist paintings and is a liquid mosaic of light, lines and color that evolve, entwine and collide to create a vibrant, dynamic entry. Other installations include a piece by Yabu Pushelberg that frames one of WOOBAR's lounge areas, a suspended modern nest, supported by an elevated walkway and tethered above and below by thin metal strips to create an intimate and provocative space with views of the hotel's Living Room (a W brand's revolution concept on the traditional hotel lobby).
Following the insider-access hardhat tour, rising international fashion designer Uma Wang debuted her collection in a dramatic show. At the end of the show, Wang presented a gift, especially designed for W Guangzhou. Last year, W Hotels, in support of the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, welcomed Uma Wang's official arrival to New York City with an industry party at W New York Downtown. As a part of the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund's China Exchange Program, Wang stayed at W New York – Downtown as she engaged in cultural experiences and industry events, further developing her understanding of the U.S. retail market during the six week trip.
W Guangzhou will join the ranks of a fast growing portfolio of W Hotels in vibrant and exotic destinations throughout Asia Pacific, including Seoul, Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangkok, Maldives, Koh Samui, Bali – Seminyak and Taipei. With a bold design concept that embraces the past, present and future, combined with the W brand's passions for What's new/What's next, W Guangzhou will set a new scene within this rapidly evolving city, appealing both to international jet setters and trend-setting locals.
W Guangzhou is ideally situated in the high-end Pearl River New Town district, a rapidly evolving center of entertainment, commerce and design that is home to the instantly recognizable Guangzhou West Tower, a towering architectural design masterpiece and commercial anchor for this area, as well as the Canton Tower, China's tallest building. W Guangzhou is conveniently located near Fortune 500 companies, luxury shopping malls and some of China's oldest cultural treasures.
W Guangzhou will introduce the city to its visionary take on urban luxury with 317 contemporary guestrooms and suites designed by Yabu Pushelberg. The hotel's destination bar, sure to become a new hotspot in Guangzhou, features a stunning, bold design that is literally out of the box – a three-story lit glass loft suspended from the side of the hotel. The hotel's signature restaurants include: Yan Yu, offering gourmet modern Chinese food in a chic, contemporary setting; Inagiku Japanese restaurant, more than a century of history in crafting exquisite Japanese cuisine, provides an intimate atmosphere for both leisure and business travelers; and The Kitchen Table, offering breakfast, lunch and dinner, large oversized tables and an open concept kitchen encourages an interactive communal experience for all day dining. Guests can sip, flirt and mingle at the WOOBAR Lounge, W's signature lounge featuring intimate spaces, DJ music and an eclectic menu of cocktails and nibbles.
For more about W Guangzhou, visit www.whotels.com.
About Uma Wang
Before launching her eponymous label in 2005 in London, Uma Wang studied at China Textile University and Central Saint Martins. She also designed for Chinese labels for 10 years, where she developed her signature knitting techniques and defined her own style and aesthetic.
Since launching the brand, Uma Wang has received critical acclaim for her shows and presentations in Shanghai, London, Paris, and Milan. She has become a leader in the Chinese fashion industry by consistently producing high-quality products and collections that always balance fashion with functionality. Uma Wang is particularly skilled in mixing and matching different fabrics and textures to create simple but strong garments with subtle detailing, and it is these unique abilities that have positioned her to become the first internationally successful Chinese designer.
About W Hotels Worldwide
W Hotels is a contemporary, design-led lifestyle brand and the industry innovator with 43 hotels and retreats, including 15 W-branded residences, in the most vibrant cities and exotic destinations around the world. Inspiring, iconic, innovative and influential, W Hotels provides the ultimate in insider-access, offering a unique mix of cutting-edge design and passions around fashion, music and entertainment. W Hotels offers a holistic lifestyle experience that is integrated into the brand's sensibility through contemporary restaurant concepts, glamorous entertainment experiences, stylish retail concepts, signature spas and inspiring residences. With more than 13 years of proven success, W Hotels is on track to reach 60 hotels by the end of 2015. W Hotels have been announced for Bangkok, Guangzhou, Milan, Shanghai, Beijing, Bogota, Abu Dhabi, Mumbai, Dubai, Jakarta, Panama, Muscat, and Sante Fe, Mexico, while upcoming W Retreats include Verbier, Goa, and Mexico's Riviera Maya. For more information, visit www.whotels.com. To live the W Hotels lifestyle 24/7/365, visit www.wresidences.com. Follow @WHotels on Twitter.
About Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with 1,134 properties in nearly 100 countries and 154,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, W®, Westin®, Le Méridien®, Sheraton®, Four Points® by Sheraton, Aloft®, and ElementSM. The Company boasts one of the industry's leading loyalty programs, Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG), allowing members to earn and redeem points for room stays, room upgrades and flights, with no blackout dates. Starwood also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., a premier provider of world-class vacation experiences through villa-style resorts and privileged access to Starwood brands. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com.
