/ / / / / /

More Hot Hotel Talk With Hospitality Designer Lenny Kravitz

May 30, 2012 at 9:31 AM | by | Comments (0)

After picking Lenny Kravitz's brain about his designs for SLS South Beach, we wanted more. So without further ado, here's Part 2 of our interview with Kravitz, where we delve deeper into his design inspirations and his hotel must-haves as he travels the world for that other day job of his...

What do you need in a hotel room to be happy and comfortable?
More than just one thing, I like hotel rooms to be thought through. A lot of times there are lots of elements missing. I have to live in a hotel when I’m on the road and it’s not just a place for me to sleep; I have to entertain there. So it’s really about how it flows; it has to feel like a home away from home for me. I want to feel comfortable—like I’m going to be happy chilling out in the room all day. Like I don’t ever want to leave the room.

So, what inspires your designs?
You know how people are … I’m a musician, and people like to keep other people in a box. But you know for me, I design, I’m a photographer, I make music, I’m an actor—amongst other things. That’s the kind of person I am. I have always be influenced by so-called Renaissance men—or women. People in general. I love using different mediums to express myself.

I’m inspired by music, by photographs, by photographers—when I did my apartment in Paris, my main inspiration was Helmut Newtown and Yves Saint Laurent. That’s how I think about it—and then there’ll be a touch of Miles Davis. My team understands what I’m saying. So it’s not just being inspired by what’s in the design world. It’s many different flavors.

How does the design process work for you?
When I’m working on the road, I’ll sketch something—very badly, I’m not a good sketcher, I’ll admit that. A lot of the time it will be on paper plates and napkins. And then I’ll have my guys straighten it up. Or I’ll have one or two of my team fly out, spend a few days on the tour bus with me. Even when I’m on the road touring I’m working. I’m a bit of… if I’m going to do it, I’m going to do it.

Because it matters that your name is on it?
Yeah. And people are always surprised when I show up on site in my hard hat. I don’t think people expect that. The first thing people want to know is, 'OK you’re talented, but are you going to get this done on time and on budget?' You know, you can’t come rock star with that. And our clients always pleasantly surprised. My office is run very, very tight. I’ve got great people working with me. We have a good time.

[SLS photo: HotelChatter; Kravitz: GossipExtra.com]

Hotels mentioned in this story

Comments (0)

Post a Comment

Join the conversation!

Not a member? .
Use of this Site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (effective 3/21/12) and Privacy Policy (effective 3/21/12). © Condé Nast. Your California Privacy Rights. All rights reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Condé Nast.
Ad Choices