Sanrda Tikal ’ s passion and belief in the brand have not only earned her an association with one of the world ’ s most unique and luxurious fashion houses , but the equally singular distinction of having opened the world ’ s first fashion-branded hotel concept : Palazzo Versace . Luxury Hotelier sat down with the Australian native to talk about what inspired her collaboration with the eponymous fashion house , why Palazzo Versace had the courage and vision to bring hoteliers , developers and fashion together in such a new , deeply imaginative way , and the value of great design .
YOU ’ VE BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH THE BRAND FROM ITS GOLD COAST PRE-OPENING AND NOW AS GM OF PALAZZO VERSACE DUBAI . WHAT INSPIRED YOU DECIDE TO JOIN SUCH A PROJECT ?
“ I went for the interview and I got so intrigued by the courage to create something like that , in Australian of all places , and then on the Gold Coast of Australia of all places . Something as unique and luxurious as Palazzo Versace did not exist in Australia … It was just such an incredible vision and outstanding success story . When I joined , it was the first time I had ever worked and reported directly to a developer , actually . The passion of this developer , and the vision , was so great ; they had travelled the world with Versace , visiting the Miami home , the Lake Como home , all the boutiques , via gesù — like our pebbled driveway , they have that in the courtyard , all of those things . So , when you are taken through this and the progress walk arounds , you know , it was a living , breathing heritage story .
HOW WOULD YOU CHARACTERIZE YOUR CONTRIBUTION TO THE SUCCESS OF THE PALAZZO VERSACE BRAND ?
I think no one person ’ s contribution
is responsible , to be honest . What I ’ ve appreciated immensely is the coming together with the hoteliers , a developer and a fashion house . I had that privilege of being around people who were exceptional at what they do , and passionate about it . So , you have people who have been with Versace for many years , through Gianni and Donatella . And they had a deep love for it and a deep understanding of how Versace portrays themselves . What was special about it was their willingness and humbleness to share and bring you on board to make you feel part of it and understand . You don ’ t get those experiences normally in hotels , so you can do nothing but love it at the end . I did not have that sense of space or that need to respect the intention of detail before I worked for this brand — the message it ’ s communicating and how it contributes to how other people receive it and experience it . Everyone knows that I actually sincerely love the brand and believe in the brand . I think that ’ s what I bring to it .
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