​Summoning the spirit of disco

On 21st November 2016, Sleeper Magazine - the hotel industry’s style bible - hosted its 16th European Hotel Design Awards. Held in the prestigious Park Plaza Hotel in London, anyone who was anyone was invited. And, after our work on the previous year’s ceremonies, we were called in as design partners to make it a night to remember.

This year’s theme was Studio 54 - the hedonistic Manhattan club beloved by everyone from Bianca Jagger to James Brown. Back in the 70s it was the place to be (and be seen). Our task? To evoke the spirit of the club and bring disco back, for one night only.

Working with Sleeper Magazine as key design partners for the event, we conceived and delivered a whole suite of on-site graphics, all designed to bring the Studio 54 theme to life throughout the evening. To kick the awards off in style, we created this short film.

As you can see, the spirit of disco lived on in our work, which combined flashing neon, sparkling mirror balls, evocative music and archive footage. And on the night the acclaimed British drag queen comedian Jonny Woo and his team were on hand to add a touch of glamour to proceedings.

The party atmosphere was fitting, as 2016 was the final European Hotel Design Awards in its current format. Next year sees the launch of AHEAD, which will take Sleeper Magazine’s award events to a global level, celebrating the best the world’s hotel industry has to offer. Take a look at the new brand we've created for the awards here.