Window shopping #8
A hotel collab for the Gen Z jet-set, a suite that serves bathtub drama, and the shoe that snuck into my wardrobe
This is Window Shopping, a weekly mini-letter from Window Seat—your stylish scroll through what’s new, noteworthy, and next in the world of travel. Each issue blends timely headlines, personal favorites, and design-forward hotels to keep your wanderlust well-fed.
Gen Z might not be able to swing a night at hotels like the St. Regis just yet, but they’ll wear branded merch like they can. STAUD just dropped a four-piece collection in partnership with St. Regis, and I think it’s actually cute—and smart. I really like the angle of luxury hotels partnering with fashion brands that resonate with younger consumers; it lets aspirational travelers buy into the fantasy even if the room rate is out of reach. There’s a great roundup of other hotel-meets-fashion collabs here. (Ed. note: As a graphic designer, designing a hotel merch collection is my absolute dream…)
Belmond is one of the few luxury hospitality brands that's truly investing in cultural world-building. During Salone del Mobile, the brand took over the Air Mail kiosk in Milan’s Brera district with a pop-up that feels like a mini Italian escape. At the center is Campania: Recipes and Wanderings, a richly layered cookbook and visual diary created in collaboration with Apartamento. This Milan moment proves Belmond knows its audience: design lovers, aesthetes, and slow travelers who crave experiences with both depth and style.
Spring is my favorite season. There’s something magical about being reminded—viscerally, finally—that winter does, in fact, come to an end. I’ve been feeling so energized by the budding trees and the promise of warmer days, especially as someone who spends a lot of time outside commuting in New York.
When you’re a commuter in a walking city, shoes matter more than most people realize. In spring, you need at least one pair that can handle mileage and survive a surprise rain shower. Enter: the boat shoe.
Owning a pair of boat shoes in 2025 was not on my bingo card, though I really should have listened to
when she called out forever ago that they’d make a comeback. If I had unlimited funds, I’d be in the Miu Miu pair, no question, but these look pretty close (gotta love Steve Madden for a good dupe). I’ve had them for two weeks and have worn them nearly every day, so it's safe to say they’ll be a mainstay in my spring/summer wardrobe.
Les Suites Cinabre—Paris, France
I really, really did not need to add another Parisian hotel to my list, but I saw this at the top of
’ hotel wishlist, and, well, what can I say? It was love at first sight. First, there’s the exclusivity: boasting just two suites, you can take your pick between Suite 1, giving French Riviera with its palm-filled atrium, or Suite 2, very decadent with a bathtub in the center of the room (my kind of drama). You’ll sleep on a Hästens mattress, eat chocolate for breakfast, and pretend you're in a Wes Anderson fever dream—main character energy simply off the charts.This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you make a purchase (at no cost to you).
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.
I have been a boat shoe girlie since my days on an actual college sailing team and I hate how good and versatile they are. They slip on! They're sneakers but not! For now I'm dedicated to Sperry but you've inspired me to expand my horizons.
Love this POV! Belmond has done so well with the talent they are using for world building. So happy to see this response to staud (esp because I worked on it !)