Columbus designers fashion uniforms for new Hilton hotel workers
Your bartender or server at the Hilton Columbus Downtown will soon be trendier.
In partnership with the Columbus Fashion Alliance, Hilton employee uniforms for front desk, restaurant and bar staff will receive a refresh designed by the local fashion organization.
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Columbus Fashion Alliance production lead Kevin Black brought together a team of independent, local fashion designers to design uniforms for employees at the Hilton Columbus Downtown, which is set to open a new tower this fall, the second phase of the North High Street hotel.
Hilton approached the Columbus Fashion Alliance last fall for a uniform update, inspired by the hotel’s art collection and ongoing commitment to partnering with local manufacturers.
The hotel spent $2 million on a 250-piece art collection when the first phase opened, said Christian Coffin, the hotel’s general manager. The collection creates a connection between the hotel and the local art community.
“It’s a unique collection. And not only does it make the hotel stand out and add a lot of soul to the property, if you will, but it also creates an immediate connection to the neighborhood,” Coffin said. “So since then, we’ve been trying to build it.”
The uniforms take inspiration from the “new Hilton look” through renderings, room mockups and interactions with guests and staff.
“We talked to the graphic interior designer from New York, some of the restaurant chefs they brought in, trying to feel the new vibe of the hotel,” Black said.
Tracy Powell, a Columbus designer and owner of The House of IsA, designed uniforms for front desk employees to wear, while CFA’s internal team designed uniforms for employees at Hilton’s new street-level restaurant and rooftop bar, FYR and Stories on High.
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Columbus menswear company Pursuit will provide men’s suits for the front desk, to be paired with shirts designed by Powell. Students from the Columbus College of Art & Design designed neck scarves and pocket squares to coordinate with the uniforms.
CFA will also get support from clothing and fabric manufacturer Columbus Apparel Studio for some of the bulk production of the uniforms.
“It’s a real community partnership,” Black said. “We’re trying to tap into every aspect of the community to make sure we can get all the really strong community players involved, to make sure we can make the hotel shine, and shine bright.”
The CFA partnership continues the hotel’s other efforts to partner with local producers, including food and beverage companies.
“This hotel is part of telling the story of Columbus, and certainly the art of fashion is a big part of that story,” Coffin said.
@TaijuanNichole
