One&Only Cape Town launches bespoke poolside cabanas with African fashion brand Lalesso

To celebrate summer, South Africa’s ultra-luxury urban resort, One&Only Cape Town, has commissioned African fashion brand Lalesso to design four of the resort’s four-poster poolside cabanas.

“Our brand is very much inspired by East African island style. To design a poolside experience that reflects both our fashion sense and how we would imagine people would like to experience a setting like One&Only’s exclusive island was fabulous,” says Olivia Kennaway, Lalesso Head Designer.

“We were really excited to work on this project with One&Only, as we love the brand, and we are so proud that our clothing has been so well received at NEO Boutique.”

Designed to reflect the immediate sense of laidback glamour at the pool, each Lalesso cabana fits two people and is dressed with exquisitely detailed, colourful cushions, throws and flourishes, such as bright tassels and decadent fringing. Like many of their garments, the cushions on the Lalesso-designed cabanas feature beautiful beadwork too, adding another authentic layer to the experience. The look is completed with Ibizan-inspired, soft white cotton voile drape curtains that offers a sense of indulgence and privacy for guests using it.

Designed to reflect the immediate sense of laidback glamour at the pool, each Lalesso cabana fits two people and is dressed with exquisitely detailed, colourful cushions, throws and flourishes, such as bright tassels and decadent fringing. Like many of their garments, the cushions on the Lalesso-designed cabanas feature beautiful beadwork too, adding another authentic layer to the experience. The look is completed with Ibizan-inspired, soft white cotton voile drape curtains that offers a sense of indulgence and privacy for guests using it.

Poolside Cabana – details

“We wanted to create an instant feeling of summertime luxury,” says Head Designer Alice Heusser. “For resort guests using the cabanas, there’s also a customised African basket of beauty essentials as well as a bespoke Lalesso gift.”

A firm favourite in NEO, the resort’s fashion boutique that is well-loved for its selection of international and local names, Lalesso offers One&Only Cape Town’s guests their signature bright, beautiful print and beading – all with a nod to Khanga cloth and its distinct prints.

Lalesso was founded by Alice and Olivia after a holiday to Lamu, an unspoilt island off the coast of Kenya. Local women dressed in traditional East African Khanga cloth provided the inspiration for their first collection – and the rest is sartorial history. The launch of the One&Only Cape Town Lalesso cabanas was also timed to coincide with a seasonal trunk show for the brand, hosted by NEO Boutique. The Lalesso Resort 2016 collection features softly draped kaftans with oversized leaf prints, gorgeous swimwear with deconstructed floral prints, as well as bright blue Kanga-inspired sundresses – it is a thoroughly stylish nod to Boho beach chic at its best.

In keeping with One&Only brand’s global philosophy of incorporating lifestyle elements into their focus, fashion forms an intrinsic part of all One&Only resort experiences. “Our guests are discerning on all levels – from dining to service and of course, they have a keen eye for style and fashion, and this is why we invest in having such stellar boutique experiences at our resorts,” says Helen McCabe-Young, Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing, One&Only Resorts.

“Our guests appreciate beauty in all the details, from the turndown in their suites to our signature room fragrance, and they are extremely fashion conscious,” says Richard Lyon, General Manager, One&Only Cape Town. “Collaborating with a brand that understands resort style and detailing as well as Lalesso does, was a pleasure. I am confident that our guests will absolutely love the new offering around our infinity pool this summer.”

For guests staying in the Table Mountain Suite or the Presidential Suite, use of one of the cabanas will be on a complimentary basis. For guests staying at the resort, a cabana can be reserved at a starting rate of R5,000 for the day. The price includes complimentary Methöde Cap Classique and mineral water served all day, fresh oysters, sliced summer fruit served by a dedicated pool butler as well as a feet or hands massage by a One&Only Spa therapist.

Like all of the NEO Boutiques globally, NEO at One&Only Cape Town is a showcase of both local and international fashion names. In 2015, the brand saw the launch of its own fashion collection and has already launched a 2016 One&Only Collection, as well as collaborated with famed resort wear designer Marie France van Damme and created a complete 10-piece bespoke collection, ‘City to Resort’.

One&Only Island is also home to Isola Poolside Restaurant, offering casual Italian style fare and available exclusively for the resort’s guests. One&Only Spa incorporating Bastien Gonzalez’s Pedi:Mani:Cure studio is also located within this oasis of calm, and is the perfect escape after a busy day exploring the Cape.