A Tale of Craftsmanship and Artistry
In the picturesque village of Melides, nestled south of Lisbon, fashion luminary Christian Louboutin and visionary architect Madalena Caiado have woven a tale of craftsmanship and artistry through the creation of Vermelho - a 13-room boutique hotel. This sanctuary, "designed at the scale of the hand," marks Louboutin's inaugural foray into hospitality and stands as a testament to the fusion of maximalist luxury and traditional Portuguese savoir-faire.
Named after Louboutin's iconic signature color, Vermelho emerges as a canvas where local craftsmanship intertwines with curated elements from Louboutin's collection. This hotel is more than a mere project; it manifests years of passion, a celebration of artistic curation, and a testament to the designer's love for the unique.
From Hotel Challenges to Personal Haven
Louboutin revealed the project's fortuitous turn to Dezeen in an open letter. Faced with the difficulties in obtaining a hotel construction permit, Louboutin said: "If it weren't a hotel, I would turn it into my home." The result is a collection of 13 specially designed rooms, each with its personality, evoking a home's spirit rather than a typical hotel.
In Louboutin's perspective, a house is a narrative, with each room contributing a unique chapter. "You can't have your house looking like a hotel," he notes. In its unconventional genesis, Vermelho becomes a symphony of diverse rooms, each reflecting a distinctive facet of Louboutin's eclectic taste and penchant for uniqueness.
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Architectural Harmony and Artistic Opulence
Collaborating with Portuguese architect Madalena Caiado, Vermelho seamlessly integrates into the village's architectural tapestry. Reflecting the local aesthetic, the hotel presents itself as a series of traditional buildings with white renderings, blue detailing, and terracotta-tiled roofs. Caiado's approach involved envisioning a structure deeply rooted in the topography, employing traditional construction systems, and paying homage to local materials.
"We have tried to imagine a building that could have existed in that place, and that was part of the landscape," Caiado explained to Dezeen. The result is a harmonious blend where architectural finesse meets the authenticity of the surroundings.
Vermelho maintains a discreet facade from the street, adhering to Louboutin's vision of an unassuming exterior. Yet, inside, it transforms into a vibrant mosaic of detail, color, and craftsmanship. The hotel's interior-facing facade is a canvas where every corner unravels the designer's aesthetic. It's a testament to the notion that true luxury often lies hidden behind simplicity.
To bring his vision to life, Louboutin collaborated with designer Carolina Irving, ceramic tile designer Patricia Medina, and Greek artist Konstantin Kakanias, who adorned the walls with hand-painted frescoes. The bespoke woodwork, French latticework, and intricate details were masterfully crafted by Spanish artisans Los Tres Juanes. Italian artist Giuseppe Ducrot contributed sculptural ceramic details, further enriching the hotel's artistic tapestry.
The hotel's Xtian restaurant is a testament to Vermelho's commitment to artistic opulence. A Klove Studio mural chandelier illuminates the space, while a bespoke bar, covered in hammered silver leaf, stands as a testament to Seville-based liturgical goldsmiths Orfebrería Villarreal's craftsmanship. Xtian becomes a culinary journey where artistry extends beyond design to tantalize the taste buds.
Speaking about Vermelho, Caiado notes that it's "at the same time, the most extravagant and most traditional project I've ever done." The challenge lay in harmonizing the myriad constellations of ideas, achieving a seamless fusion of creativity and tactile thinking. Louboutin's hands-on approach during construction added an artistic component, creating a hotel that feels as if it were crafted at the scale of those who built it.
At its heart, Vermelho celebrates artistic collaboration, where fashion meets architecture and tradition meets extravagance. The opulent haven in Melides of Christian Louboutin and Madalena Caiado is a living testament to the transformative power of craftsmanship, artistry, and a shared vision for the extraordinary.
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