Supermodel Joan Smalls has landed a fitting gig for her globe-trotting lifestyle: W Hotels has named the beauty its first-ever global fashion innovator, a newly created position in which Smalls will help create and shape W’s global fashion platform around the world. On the lineup of duties: making special appearances, collaborating on unique partnerships, and participating in exclusive in-room digital content on The Angle, W’s digital platform that features the latest in fashion, music, and design and FUEL, the brand’s take on healthy living through spa, food and working out, as well as local content from W destinations around the globe.
“I am thrilled to be named the first-ever global fashion innovator of W Hotels,” said Smalls in a statement. “It is a dream job of mine to be able to combine two of the things I love the most: travel and fashion. W Hotels—and their incredible line up of hotels around the world—is the perfect partner for such a collaboration. I’m excited to share my passions, tips and personal style with W guests.”
Smalls quietly announced her role back in August at a private party to celebrate the launch of W Dubai. Since then, she’s been working with the hotel team on a series of initiatives that will roll out this year, ultimately bringing her signature style and taste to hotel guests. Currently, she’s working on her insider guide to Goa—she will curate her favorite places as well as picks that will be shared with W Goa guests in-room and online—and an exclusive item that will celebrate her Puerto Rican heritage in honor of W Vieques. More details on the projects are said to be revealed in the coming months.
“We are excited to have someone with such a stylish, global point of view help shape our fashion story,” says Anthony Ingham, global brand leader, W Hotels Worldwide. “Be it our longstanding partnership with the CFDA or our recent W Hotels Style Lab pop-up shop curated by Sarah Easley, W has a long history of celebrating fashion. Now, with Joan as our first ever Global Fashion Innovator, we are excited to work with someone whose personal passions for travel and fashion mirror our own.”
