Fashion People The Art of Hotel Merch and More
Aug 15, 2025
Marie-Louise Scio, C.E.O. of Pellicano Hotels, dives into the intersection of fashion and hospitality. She discusses how Instagram shapes vacation choices and the significance of Italian aesthetics. Marie-Louise shares her family's hotel legacy and the fusion of creativity in hospitality, from culinary ventures to unique merchandise. The conversation highlights the unexpected triumphs of hotel retail, especially during the pandemic, while addressing the challenges of training staff and maintaining a personal touch in the industry. It's a vibrant look at modern hospitality!
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Childhood Shaped By A Fashionable Hotel
- Marie-Louise grew up at Il Pellicano as a child while her father ran it and she treated it like a strange, glamorous home.
- She followed photographers like Slim Aarons and learned early how the hotel's world connected to fashion and style.
Redesign Started With One Bathroom
- Marie-Louise redesigned a bathroom then expanded into graphics, uniforms, and plates to preserve the hotel's DNA.
- Guests noticed change without knowing why, proving the power of subtle, cohesive design choices.
A Book Reframed The Hotel's Cultural Moment
- Marie-Louise curated a book combining Slim Aarons archive with Jürgen Teller's contemporary photos to relaunch the hotel's cultural identity.
- The book and associated parties invited fashion friends and marked her era of shaping Pellicano's modern scene.