The Ritz-Carlton Forays Into Fashion
The Ritz-Carlton has teamed up with Madrid-based fashion label Late Checkout to launch a fashion collaboration. The Late Checkout: A Ritz-Carlton Story collection features nine curated pieces of everyday essentials like jackets and joggers that blend the Ritz-Carlton’s timeless elegance with Madrid based streetwear label Late Checkout’s playful, hotel-inspired aesthetic.
Late Checkout, founded in 2019 by Anton Alvarez and Alex Turrion, has quickly made a name for itself in the fashion world with its boundary-pushing designs inspired by jet-set life and hotel stays. For creative director Turrion, this collaboration represents a full-circle moment. “It has always been super important to us that collaborations be natural and organic. We are in a saturated fashion market where collaborations are happening constantly. As a brand whose whole aesthetic revolves around hotels, collaborating with the Ritz-Carlton and being able to add our unique vision and narrative is a dream come true and made a lot of sense for us.”
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The collection features a range of items that blend sophisticated design with casual wearability. Standout pieces include co-branded tailored jackets with Late Checkout’s signature key-zip detailing, soft V-neck sweaters in baby blue and ecru, and sleek white Ts adorned with co-branded logos.
Jamie Kerr, vice president and global brand leader of the Ritz-Carlton, explained to WWD the strategic vision behind the partnership. “For us it’s a first in fashion. It helps us reach and speak to a new audience,” she said. “In terms of luxury hospitality, Ritz Carlton is always about expressing itself, whether it’s service, design, the guest experience, and this is yet another way.”
The collaboration celebrates the Ritz Carlton’s heritage while embracing innovation, she said. “This helps us celebrate our heritage in a fun new way.”
“What’s really fun is the style of Late Checkout,” said Kerr. “They’re a bit irreverent and lighthearted, creating these characters that bring to life their collection. Like the bellboy, for example, that leans into the foundations of luxury hospitality. But they reinterpret that classic character in a new way.”
“You see that heritage piece for us in particular with the logo treatment as well as kind of the use of our legacy color, cobalt blue. So this is a fun marriage between the two brands,” Kerr added.
To support the launch, the Ritz-Carlton has produced a campaign starring award-winning actor Josh Hutcherson, directed by Rogelio and produced by Little Spain. The film aims to capture the whimsical, storybook-like aesthetic of the collection. Set in the Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong, the film showcases the Ritz-Carlton’s legendary service through a quirky and charming narrative. Jamie Kerr said the choice of using Hutcherson not only brings star power to the campaign but also bridges the gap between the Ritz-Carlton’s traditional luxury image and the more youthful, street-inspired aesthetic of Late Checkout.
“From the first conversation we had with him, he really got the ethos of Ritz-Carlton, about innovation, but also genuine care and comfort to create ‘Wow’ experiences for guests.” Add in his personal style and the combination was perfect. “He really embodies that kind of ’90s streetwear aesthetic in his own personal way. And Josh resonates across generations from Millennials and Gen Z. They know him from ‘The Hunger Games’ or ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s’.”
The collection will be available for purchase online through the Ritz-Carlton Shops. Additionally, a curated retail experience will pop up at the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, Fla., starting Oct. 19. Kerr says this is the first of many pop-ups they hope to roll out at properties globally.
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