Created three years ago by W Hotels worldwide, the Fashion Next program is an industry-first initiative designed to discover and support emerging designers.  On Tuesday, November 8, 2011, the W San Francisco presented Fashion Next with celebrity fashion designer, Michael Angel. The soiree included a live model viewing and trunk show showcasing Michael Angel’s Spring/Summer 2012 Collection, along with the unveiling of the new W staff uniforms.

The W San Francisco partnered with Michael Angel to be the exclusive designer of their new staff uniforms.  Both Angel and the W Hotel wanted uniforms that showcased the city of San Francisco along with W’s newly restyled decor.  With this inspiration in the front of his mind, Angel went to work.  He used his innovative application of digital prints to create uniforms with colorful imagery.  Both men and women’s uniforms exhibit a visual fusion of W Hotel’s décor and San Francisco’s foggy skies.  Uniforms maintain a simple, modern, and chic aesthetic.  Angel was very pleased with his creations. “It think the uniforms represent something very atmospheric.”  He further explained, “It’s wonderful that the W Hotel has allowed me to celebrate print.”

Michael Angel has continued to generate acclaim in the fashion world.  His expressive, energetic, and colorful design sensibility has caught the eyes of countless celebrities, including Beyonce, Rihanna, Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen, Kylie Minogue, Mary J Blige, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Gweneth Paltrow.  When asked about his inspiration, he replied, “Inspiration comes to me, and I just do what feels organic.”

Angel is one of the many talented designers partnered with W Hotels  for the Fashion Next Series.  With the help of the W Hotels platform, the selected Fashion Next designers made their debut at New York’s Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in September and will be showcased at events in other global cities ranging from London and Moscow to Bangkok.  For more information on W Hotel’s Fashion Next, visit http://starwoodpromos.com/whotelsfashion/

Photographer:  Drew Altizer

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