Hospitality Design - July 2010 - 84

Women of Influence

the industry forever, exposed the infinite possibilities of design, the satisfaction of daring to be different, and shown the way to a new generation. Hotels, hotel design, and the world will be better for it.”

and 5-Star hospitality spaces that evoke a sense of place. Her designs can be found in boutique destination resorts to full-service properties, for an impressive client list that includes Four Seasons, Hyatt, Le Meridien, Fairmont, and Disney. Most recently she designed the residences at the Mandarin Oriental at CityCenter in Las Vegas (shown) as consultant to AAI Inc., Nevada, and the Sheraton Tucson Hotel & Convention Center, a 26-story tower connected to the convention center’s new expansion.

Kit Kemp
Design Director Firmdale Hotels London
Kit Kemp and her husband Tim have been reinventing the look of boutique hotels since 1985 by turning spaces into playful and colorful environments. As the coowner of Firmdale Hotels, Kemp has infused her innovative artistic style in seven luxury boutique properties. To broaden the company’s UK-focused scope, they made their U.S. debut by turning an eight-story parking lot in New York into the Crosby Street Hotel (shown). “Kit’s interiors are a prime example of an artist/designer not following the norms of how ‘it is done,’” explains Paul Taylor, president, Stonehill & Taylor Architects, PC, who was responsible for the Crosby’s architecture. “She is outside the industry and decorates by her own internal compass. [She] makes every room different, shops personally in India and Africa, commissions significant artwork, uses Zegna fabrics on the walls— why not! If you follow the same rules you end up in the same place. She has different rules.”

profile of luxury hotel brands, including Four Seasons, Fairmont, Waldorf=Astoria, Trump, Indigo, Hilton, Marriott, and Disney. (Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills shown.) “Sue brings to the table her worldly design taste,” says designer Wing Chao, who worked with Firestone while he was at Disney. “She is versatile and multi-talented and her designs carry a special ‘soft touch’ that makes her creations outstanding. She is sensitive to each design challenge and approaches the process with a charming and inspirational style. She also possesses impressive marketing and business skills.”

Julia Monk
Founding Partner/Managing Partner BBG-BBGM New York
BBG (Brennan Beer & Gorman, founded in 1987) became BBGM three years later with the arrival of Julia Monk; the firm now has offices in four cities, including Shanghai. Monk’s portfolio includes the St. Regis and the W Union Square in New York; the Peninsula Hong Kong; Vdara at CityCenter for MGM Mirage in Las Vegas (shown); and the InterContinental Boston. “Julie is one of a rare breed that truly understand what makes a hotel project successful,” says Mark Boekenheide, senior vice president, hotel development, Related. “She has the unique ability to blend the operational and functional needs of the client with the creation of an exceptional experience for the guest. Her body of work exhibits a wide diversity of style and a true understanding of luxury, lifestyle, and design, all wrapped up in a timeless quality.”

“Kay designs from the heart with a passion that exudes elegance, playfulness, warmth, and vitality. You just can’t help but feel good in one of her spaces,” attests Sven Van Assche, senior vice president design and architecture, MGM Resorts International.

Alexandra Champalimaud
Founder and Principal Champalimaud New York City
Alexandra Champalimaud founded her eponymous firm nearly three decades ago in Montreal, moving its headquarters to New York in 1994. Over the years she has made a specialty of luxury hotels, restaurants, and spas, including the Algonquin and Carlyle in New York, Quebec City’s Chateau Frontenac, London’s Berkeley and Dorchester, the St. Regis Beijing, and the Fairmont San Francisco (shown), among others. “As a citizen of the world,” says Denise Korn, principal/owner, Korn Design, “Alexandra brings an inspired global perspective to her work. Her environments touch people in emotional ways. Often tapping into subtle historic references, playful details, emotive palettes and textures, these places warm you up or let you rest in honest and personal comfort.”

Sue Firestone
Founder/Chairman sfa design Santa Barbara, California
Sue Firestone has brought her classic, residentially inspired designs to 5- and 6-Star hotels and resorts for 30 years. Before founding sfa in 1996, she spent two decades directing Los Angeles interior design firm Design 1, making it the sixth largest design company in the U.S. Now with sfa, she has created an international

Connie Puar
Principal/Director HBA Singapore
Connie Puar is an HBA lifer. From an intern some 19 years ago, the native Singaporean has worked her way up through the ranks. Her level of detailed design

Kay Lang
President & CEO Kay Lang + Associates Los Angeles
For more than 30 years, Kay Lang’s specialty has been 4-

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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Hospitality Design - July 2010