Fashion designer William Tempest has been creating a storm across the waters in Barcelona with his gorgeous new swimwear collaboration with The W Hotel. Fashion editor turned travel blogger, Bonnie Rakhit, founder of www.TheStyleTraveller.com, shares with us her recent trip to the William Tempest launch party, on the star-studded Sun Deck at The W Barcelona...
From models, DJs, fashionistas to celebs, Barcelona’s beautiful crowd was out in full force, for the William Tempest swimwear launch. With spectacular views over the glittering city skyline, the turquoise, infinity pool, on the new Sun Deck at The W, created the perfect backdrop.
Following the success of Tempest’s past collaboration with The W London; he previously designed an exclusive collection of silk nightwear; this is his second collaboration with the global, hip hotel brand. I caught up with the Cheshire born designer, earlier in the day, on board a special catamaran cruise, to get a sneak peak of the collection and get some insider gossip from the designer himself.
“I'm thrilled to be involved in this project and to have the opportunity to work with a ground-breaking hotel, with such a forward-looking focus on design and fashion,” says Tempest. “I was inspired by the dynamic spirit and incredible location of W Barcelona, right next to the beach. I wanted to design an original pattern that reflects the energy as well as the fresh, playful, avant-garde and lively personality of W Barcelona, whilst evoking its bold style and effortless glamour, all the things my red carpet creations are well-known for.”
Does Barcelona hold any special significance for you?
“Having visited Spain as a child on many family trips, I have really fond memories of the city. The colours for the design were taken from the blues of the sea and the yellow of the sand. The mosaic print was inspired by Barcelona’s iconic, Gaudi architecture.”
Your celebrity following includes Kate Moss, Rihanna, Alexa Chung and Emma Watson, to name a few of your a-list muses. Who’s next on your ‘stars to dress’ list?
“I like Angelina Jolie. I love how she uses her celebrity status for good causes. She’s a great role model. She’d be a great ambassador for the brand.”
And so to the party… After dark the glam factor was ramped up and we made our way to the sunset, poolside party on the brand new Sun Deck. We ate fresh oysters, foie gras canapés, mini burgers and rainbow coloured macaroons, all washed down with the champagne cocktail of the summer, Veuve Clicquot Rich.
Later on the decks and spinning Ibiza tunes, was DJ and model, Cristina Tosio, who is the face of The W / Tempest swimwear campaign and for post poolside drinks, we made our way to the newly renovated, Eclipse Bar, on the 26th floor of The W Hotel and partied into the night.
*The William Tempest for W Hotels swimwear collection comprises of beach shorts and a 2-piece bikini set, priced at 195 euros each. Hotel guests staying in the Wow Suites will receive the bikini and shorts as a welcome gift. The collection will also be available to buy online from http://www.w-barcelona.com/en/forms/wt-swimwear?channel=LPSIDP *
*Bonnie Rakhit is a Freelance Fashion Stylist and Journalist who runs the 'The Style Traveller' blog. The site is a fashion editor’s insider guide to some of the world’s coolest hang outs and great places to shop, eat, sleep, drink and party when on your travels. Follow Bonnie on Twitter @BonnieRakhit, Instagram @bonnierakhit and on the site www.thestyletraveller.com *