Sofitel announces Karl Lagerfeld as designer for new Sofitel So Singapore

Sofitel Luxury Hotels has announced Karl Lagerfeld as the ‘Signature Designer’ for Sofitel So Singapore, the new luxury ‘designer hotel’ set to open in 2013. Lagerfeld will create a signature emblem that will symbolise the hotel’s creative style and will appear on a range of exclusive objects throughout the property. In keeping with the involvement of Christian Lacroix as signature designer for Sofitel So Bangkok and Kenzo Takada who provided design direction at Sofitel So Mauritius, Sofitel’s partnership with Lagerfeld makes a bold statement on the direction of the So label.

Karl Lagerfeld, the Icon of Luxury

Fashion designer, photographer, publisher, illustrator, film director and visionary, Karl Lagerfeld has created a universe in which every line is perfectly under control, each detail of absolute importance. His passion for the world around him and ultramodern design ethic will become the trademark of Sofitel So.

“I am very proud to announce this inspirational collaboration, which is a perfect illustration of Sofitel Luxury Hotels’ ambitions with regard to excellence and elegance. His exceptional creativity and talent will confer the ultimate touch of refinement and enhance our concept,” said Robert Gaymer-Jones, CEO of Sofitel Luxury on the partnership.

The Sofitel So Label

Building on the time-honored establishment of Sofitel Luxury Hotels and their unique brand blueprint that combines French luxury with the essence of local tradition, Sofitel So is the ‘designer hotel’ label featuring trendy hotels in contemporary locations, with a focus on the destination. Reflecting a strong flare for design, each Sofitel So hotel combines the iconic Sofitel “art de vivre” with the signature of an international designer from the worlds of fashion or art to present the best of the location.  Sofitel So Singapore is the third addition globally to Sofitel So’s expanding portfolio, while other hotels are currently under way in key cities including Mumbai and Rio.

Introducing Sofitel So Singapore

Located at 35 Robinson Road, Sofitel So Singapore’s iconic building was first built in 1927 where it remained a telecommunications and postal building till 1992. The five-star hotel property retains its neo-classical facade and some of the existing building structures, while a newer five-storey wing is currently being constructed at the back. With one of Singapore's most prestigious addresses at the heart of the destination’s bustling city centre, Sofitel So Singapore is minutes from iconic landmarks.

The luxury hotel will feature 134 guestrooms including 23 suites, each uniquely designed to preserve the building’s heritage while representing modern Singapore. The property, which is owned by Royal Group Holdings since 2011, is currently under construction and is scheduled to open mid-2013.

“Having Karl Lagerfeld as the “Signature Designer” for the distinctive Sofitel So Singapore was an obvious choice to us, allowing us to pay homage to the country’s symbolic heritage building with an iconic design collaboration,” commented Bobby Hiranandani, Managing Director of Royal Group Holdings. “We are confident that this unprecedented partnership will galvanize the success of the boutique luxury hotel and offer guests a remarkable hospitality experience in true Sofitel style.”

Sofitel, World Class Hotels & French Elegance
Sofitel is the only French luxury hotel brand with a presence on five continents with 120 addresses, in almost 40 countries (more than 30,000 rooms). Sofitel offers contemporary hotels and resorts adapted to today’s more demanding and more versatile consumers who expect and appreciate beauty, quality and excellence. Whether situated in the heart of a major city like Paris, London, New York, Shanghai or Beijing, or nestled away in a country landscape in Morocco, Egypt, French Polynesia or Thailand, each Sofitel property offers a genuine experience of the French “art de vivre”.

Sofitel Legend and & Sofitel So are two labels that come to enrich Sofitel Luxury hotels.

Sofitel Legend hotels are iconic and mythical; they are often centuries-old listed heritage buildings: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi, Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam and Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan.

Sofitel So hotels are new « boutique hotels » characterised by a stylish focus on contemporary design by famous architects and/or embellished by international celebrities from the world of fashion, design or art: Sofitel So Mauritius Bel Ombre, Sofitel So Bangkok and Sofitel So Singapore (2013).

Discover Sofitel on www.sofitel.com