In The Pipeline
More and more client- and customer-facing businesses around the world are realizing the value of brand elements that enhance their experience, opening up opportunities for us to design and collaborate with exciting new industries.
With the recent revitalization of Hanover Square—a crossroads of art, fashion, and culture—comes Mandarin Oriental’s latest sanctuary of five-star hospitality with a NO Uniform designed wardrobe to match.
July 2024
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group expanded its presence in London with the opening of Mandarin Oriental Mayfair, London on 3 June 2024. 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.
As the Creative Director of NO Uniform, Nicholas Oakwell led the overall design of the Mandarin Oriental Mayfair’s uniforms, honoring its Asian heritage while creating a modern and respectful aesthetic in harmony with its surroundings. At NO Uniform, we pride ourselves on being the global leader in bespoke uniform design, crafting award-winning looks and truly unique and sophisticated brand identities. Nicholas Oakwell infused the uniforms with a blend of classic British tailoring and Asian influences, featuring cherry blossom embroidery and kimono-inspired sleeves. For the bartenders, we designed a bomber jacket-styled shirt and jacket adorned with dragon embroidery, reflecting the hotel’s unique contemporary style.
Our project was meticulously 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, our attention to detail was paramount, focusing on quality materials and exceptional craftsmanship. These uniforms not only embody a distinctive aesthetic but also prioritize functionality and comfort for the staff, reflecting our 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.
“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.”
– Nicholas Oakwell, Creative Director of NO Uniform
“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.”
– Susanne Hatje, General Manager of Mandarin Oriental, Mayfair
More and more client- and customer-facing businesses around the world are realizing the value of brand elements that enhance their experience, opening up opportunities for us to design and collaborate with exciting new industries.
While the appetite grows for more fashion collaborations in the hospitality arena, Nicholas Oakwell, Founder and Creative Director of NO Uniform, explains how his company is revolutionising the hotel uniform with a couture touch…
A uniform has become a canvas for creativity, a tool for expressing brand identity, and a way to elevate the guest experience through thoughtful, functional design.