Window shopping #46
A hypebeast-coded airplane, a chef-driven airport lounge, and the most creative hotel in Jamaica
This is Window Shopping, a weekly mini-letter from Window Seat—your stylish scroll through what’s new and noteworthy in the world of travel. Each issue blends timely headlines, personal favorites, and design-forward hotels to keep your wanderlust well-fed.
STARLUX Airlines has unveiled the core visual for its AIRSORAYAMA project, expanding its collaboration with legendary Japanese artist Hajime Sorayama beyond aircraft livery into full brand mythology. Sorayama’s iconic chrome robot soars alongside a STARLUX jet against a deep blue sky, subtly anchored by the airline’s North Star emblem, with a gold STARLUX ring engraved on the robot’s leg as a literal fusion of art and airline. True to form, he hand-drew every metallic highlight, preserving emotion beneath the hyper-polished sheen. As someone who used to lead strategy at Complex (and has the tiiiiiniest inner hypebeast), loves aviation, and happens to be a designer, I so appreciate the distinct visual universe and cultural cache this partnership creates.
Capital One just opened a new Landing Lounge at LGA in partnership with Michelin-starred chef Jose Andres, bringing elevated Spanish-inspired small plates to Terminal B. The space blends Capital One’s polished, design-forward aesthetic with a chef-driven menu, adding yet another signal that airport lounges are evolving into destinations rather than just transit points (more on that in an upcoming podcast with GOOD THINKING!). The opening was paired with an announcement that Shay Mitchell has signed on as the brand’s official Travel Ambassador, which signals to me that they’re looking to compete directly with Amex on identity, not just perks. And in my opinion, at least when it comes to lounges, they’re winning.
Away has named Fora Travel its official travel agency partner, marking Fora’s first large-scale consumer brand collaboration. The partnership connects Away’s design-forward customer base with Fora’s global network of advisors to create a more unified, end-to-end travel-planning experience built on real traveler insights. The first rollout will center around a wedding capsule this spring, tapping into the rise in engagement-to-honeymoon bookings.
Happy Lunar New Year and WELCOME to the year of the fire horse! We made it.
I have been out in the world a lot lately, bouncing between events, meeting new friends, discovering new hotels, and testing new products. For the first time in a while, I feel like I’m not just moving through the city, but actually taking advantage of all it has to offer. I’m also finally starting to feel a bit settled in my new apartment (turns out getting all the boxes out was half the battle).
One of the events I attended introduced me to a new-to-me brand called 100ml, which curates travel pouches filled with the best in beauty and wellness. The concept is simple but smart: perfectly sized essentials, thoughtfully edited, all in one chic pouch. They carry an impressive mix of brands, and the edit feels genuinely considered. My favorite product on offer: SIDIA’s Braless—it smells incredible.
Pompey — Jamaica
On 50 acres in Portland Parish, Jamaica, you’ll find Pompey: a hotel conceived by Diplo and brought to life by Brooklyn studio Freecell Architecture alongside Gia Wolff. Taken all together, it’s a masterclass in tension: raw brutalist concrete set against dense jungle green, sharp lines softened by filtered rays of light. At its core sits a 2,000-square-foot recording studio, but the experience doesn't stop there: cold plunges, sauna, yoga, rock climbing, water sports, and an in-house chef sourcing straight from the land fill out the rest. The result is somewhere that takes creativity seriously without forgetting the body needs tending to as well.
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Tori Simokov is a Travel Writer and Graphic Designer/Strategist based in New York. To get in touch, email tori@v1projects.com. Want more? Check out Instagram, TikTok, or shop her curated favorites.