I was fortunate to have met with Luca & Judith Missoni and designed their kitchen in Manhattan a year or so back, I must say that they were most delightful. Judith, who I spent most time with is one of the nicest celebrities I have ever worked with, she is very soft spoken and a truly lovely person. She had the knack to make you feel like a friend. As expected she has a strong design sensibility and great eye for detail and color.
When you think of Missoni you automatically think of their signature patterns and colorful fabrics. That is their image, their brand. And they never move too far from the mark. Their strong sense of identity offers no excuses, they know who they are and so does the rest of the world!
In November 2005, Missoni and the Rezidor Hotel Group signed an agreement to create Hotel Missoni, a luxury lifestyle hotel chain. Two have opened so far: Hotel Missoni Edinburgh, Scotland opened in 2009 and Hotel Missoni Kuwait opened in 2011, and soon-to-open hotels in Jebel Sifah, Oman in '13, Antalya, Turkey and Ihla de Cajaiba, Brazil in '14.
Ironically, the brand does not have any hotels in Italy but have just announced their intention to open in Mauritius: "Combining Missoni's iconic design with the local culture influenced by Europe, Africa and Asia, the hotel will be truly unique in Mauritius", said Kurt Ritter, President & CEO of Rezidor.
I am featuring photography from Hotel Missoni Kuwait, where their branding is as strong as ever.
 |
| Entrance to Hotel Missoni Kuwait |
 |
| Lobby |
This play on color is shown throughout the rest of the images below.
 |
| Lobby |
 |
| Bar |
 |
| Guest Suite |
Every room is clearly Missoni, branding at its best.
 |
| Guest Room |
 |
| Guest Bathroom |
No decoration needed other than the Bath Towel!
 |
| Guest Suite |
Attention to detail shown in the bowl displayed as Art on the wall.
I am not expert on the subject, however I know that this is the epitome of a brand, Laura Lake summarizes my thoughts..."Your brand resides within the hearts and minds of customers, clients, and prospects. It is the sum total of their experiences and perceptions, some of which you can influence, and some that you cannot.
A strong brand is invaluable as the battle for customers intensifies day by day. It's important to spend time investing in researching, defining, and building your brand. After all your brand is the source of a promise to your consumer. It's a foundational piece in your marketing communication and one you do not want to be without." http://marketing.about.com/cs/brandmktg/a/whatisbranding.htm
Think about your personal or company branding this weekend, I know I will!
~D~
