The Luxury Collection, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of 30 extraordinary hotel brands, announces chef and artist Laila Gohar as the brand’s newest Global Explorer. In her role as a brand ambassador, Gohar has collaborated with The Luxury Collection to create a globally inspired barware collection with complementing cocktail recipes drawing from her travels with the brand. Gohar marks The Luxury Collection’s first epicurean Global Explorer, underscoring the power of cultural discovery through food and drink.
Known for her Surrealist-inspired tableware line, Gohar World, Gohar has created a family of barware for The Luxury Collection that highlights global craft traditions that are disappearing – mouth-blown glass, porcelain, needle work, and silversmithing. While each piece of Gohar’s collection is different and designed with a variety of inspirations, together they represent a harmonious line of barware which features timeless craft and traditions discovered during her travels and made by family-owned ateliers around the world.
The Luxury Collection’s Global Explorer program celebrates the vibrancy of the world’s most enchanting destinations through the eyes of leading cultural voices. Representing a broad selection of creative endeavors, these personalities are united by a deep understanding of world cultures, while identifying travel experiences in their own personal way. Born in Egypt, Laila Gohar has traveled the globe as an internationally recognized artist working with food as her creative medium.
“My favorite way to discover a destination is through the senses, and enjoying a meal or drink while traveling is an incredible way to learn about the local culture,” said Laila Gohar. “Often the way a table or bar is set, and the objects used, are just as important as the food and beverage offerings themselves. I am thrilled to be working with The Luxury Collection to highlight the beauty of epicurean discovery and celebrate the local craftspeople that bring these experiences to life around the world.”
Inspired by Prince de Galles, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Paris, for the collection, Gohar created a hand-stitched cocktail napkin, which she has paired with a Champagne Coupe mouth blown by traditional glassmakers Lobmeyr. The pieces are a nod to the glamour of Paris and cocktail culture during the 1920s as well as the Art Deco features of the hotel and the Arc de Triomphe – the hotel was built with the same stones of the famed Parisian landmark. Gohar’s recipes for a Parisian Side Car and 1920s Sazerac featuring only French ingredients draw on classic cocktails from the hotel’s Bar 19.20.
The barware collection also includes a Sake Cup and Bamboo Oshibori Tray inspired by Suiran, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Kyoto. Gohar worked with local artisans to create these pieces that pay homage to the centuries-old Japanese traditional crafts.
Completing the collection is a Martini Glass and Olive Pick which draw on her time at SLS Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Beverly Hills and the iconic architects that have contributed to landmark projects in Los Angeles – from Frank Lloyd Wright to Rudolph Shindler to Pierre Koenig. The lines of the Martini Glass mirror the California modernist design while the Olive Pick is reminiscent of the wrought iron gate at the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Ennis House. Whether you are enjoying Gohar’s “Cali-tini” or “Ghia Spritz”, a non-alcoholic aperitif, this is the perfect vessel.
“We are delighted to welcome Laila Gohar as our newest Global Explorer. Her fresh perspective and passion for culinary and craft perfectly aligns with The Luxury Collection brand as we aim to offer our guests transformational cultural experiences through travel,” said Philipp Weghmann, Vice President & Global Brand Leader, The Luxury Collection. “We are excited to collaborate with her on an inspiring barware collection to celebrate our portfolio in some of the world’s most captivating global cities.”
Laila Gohar will join the celebrated group of Luxury Collection Global Ambassadors who bring the portfolio to life for international travelers. The brand recently celebrated its first collaboration with Global Explorer Caroline de Maigret as well as continued partnerships with Global Explorers Margherita Maccapani Missoni and Mercedes Salazar. The Luxury Collection is dedicated to helping travelers from all over the world embark on extraordinary journeys and one-of-a-kind experiences.
