Shangri-La Hotel, Toronto Unveils New Look for First Anniversary

  • August 28, 2013
Shangri-La Hotel, Toronto Unveils New Look for First Anniversary
Service associates in the Lobby Lounge revealed the custom designed wardrobe by VAWK Creative Director, Sunny Fong, during the cocktail reception. Live music and a signature VAWKtail, an Asian infused cocktail made with prosecco, brandy, and yuzu and garnished with a single sugar cube were featured. The VAWKtail was created in honour of the collaboration which will continue on the bar menu through the fall season. The partnership marks an infusion of Asian Canadian luxury design into the Asian luxury hospitality and ambience embodied by Shangri-La Hotel, Toronto.

“The energy in the Lobby Lounge was palpable last night. Seeing and hearing everyone's enthusiastic reaction to our new look truly felt celebratory,“ said Richard Cooke, general manager, Shangri-La Hotel, Toronto. “It has been a joy working with Sunny Fong and the entire VAWK team.”

The new Lobby Lounge attire design draws inspiration from the décor of the hotel lobby, the cultural heritage of the designer himself and that of the hotel's luxury Asian hospitality. “I wanted the design to truly reflect a hybrid of my brand and what I feel Shangri-La Hotel, Toronto represents. I was inspired by the art work in the lobby, the Ming vase tea library and the ornithological theme that is prevalent in the hotel and the Zhang Huan ‘Rising' sculpture,” said Fong of his inspiration. “When I met with Richard Cooke, we wanted something that seemed almost theatrical, so naturally I knew the silhouette had to be both sophisticated and sexy. I felt my desire to custom create a bold graphic print inspired by the Ming vase would absolutely make a dramatic statement.”

The design of the dress borrows from traditional Asian design and architecture with shoulders reminiscent of pagodas found in Chinese gardens: whilst the silhouette is a sleeker version of the traditional qipao with a mandarin collar.

Since inception VAWK has become synonymous with quality craftsmanship and a design style that is as innovative as it is sophisticated. VAWK designs have been showcased on red carpets worldwide, including the Cannes International Film Festival, the Grammy Awards and the People's Choice Awards.

Visit website: Shangri-La Hotel, Toronto