Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group expanded its presence in London with the opening of Mandarin Oriental Mayfair, London, on 3 June 2024

BY TIM HEDGLEY, GROUP TRAVEL EDITOR

Sitting on historic Hanover Square, in the heart of London’s most stylish neighbourhoods, Mandarin Oriental Mayfair is a sleek, design-led and intimate property where fashion, media, art, and business intersect.

The hotel’s overall aesthetic, from interior styling to staff attire, reflects its rich Asian heritage.

Under the creative direction of Nicholas Oakwell and working closely with Susanne Hatje, General Manager of Mandarin Oriental Mayfair, the hotel uniforms are not only functional but also empower the staff, adding a heightened level of elegance to this eagerly anticipated new hotel opening.

Elevating Design Through Hotel Uniform

Nicholas Oakwell, Creative Director of  NO Uniform led the overall design of Mandarin Oriental Mayfair’s uniform that honoured its Asian heritage while being modern and respectful of its surroundings. NO Uniform is the global leader in bespoke uniform design that creates award-winning looks and truly unique and sophisticated brand identities.

Nicholas Oakwell crafted the uniform with a fusion of classic British tailoring and Asian influences, such as cherry blossom embroidery and a sleeve inspired by the kimono; and for the bartenders, a bomber jacket styled shirt and jacket with dragon embroidery, reflecting the hotel’s unique contemporary style.

The project was carefully guided by the brand’s identity, ensuring an authentic representation of its Asian heritage without resorting to a themed approach.

From early sketches to final production, attention to detail was paramount, with a focus on quality materials and craftsmanship.

These uniforms not only embody a distinctive aesthetic but also prioritise functionality and comfort for the staff, reflecting a sense of pride and accomplishment.

Described as modern and sartorial, the collection also boasts sustainability credentials, with British suiting fabrics and local manufacturing contributing to its eco-friendly ethos.

Design and Interiors

Designed by internationally renowned RSHP (the talent behind the Lloyd’s building and the ‘Cheesegrater’ in London, as well as the Pompidou Centre in Paris), Mandarin Oriental Mayfair’s design has a rich historic context, given its location on the corner of Mayfair’s oldest square.

A strong sense of place has inspired the interior design of the hotel’s public spaces, created by Tokyo based studio, Curiosity, who have based their concept on ‘a hub of nature and art’.

As a homage to the hotel’s cultural and creative neighbours, artworks by local British artists feature throughout the hotel with one-off furniture pieces curated by Curiosity’s founder, Gwenael Nicolas.

The 50 guest rooms and suites have been designed by UK based Studio Indigo, embracing a British style influenced by the hotel’s iconic location in the heart of London, while encompassing touches reflective of the Group’s oriental heritage.

Nicholas Oakwell, Creative Director of NO Uniform comments, “I am delighted that the team at Mandarin Oriental Mayfair hotel has embraced and love the uniforms I have created. It brings me immense joy to see their excitement about wearing them. Given their long hours, it’s crucial that they wear something they genuinely love, which is both functional and comfortable, perfectly suited for their roles.”

Susanne Hatje, General Manager of Mandarin Oriental, Mayfair comments, “With fashion, art and culture as the essence of our new boutique-style hotel, we were eager to design uniforms that embody these principles, while ensuring comfort for our colleagues, and No Uniform has indeed delivered just that”.