Created with Cordelia de Castellane, Sofitel’s new Le Vestiaire wardrobe will dress 25,000 employees across 120 hotels, replacing traditional uniforms with a flexible, mix-and-match system. Robbie Hodges reports 

Sofitel has unveiled Le Vestiaire, a new global wardrobe created for employees across its international portfolio. Developed in collaboration with French designer Cordelia de Castellane, the collection comprises 45 pieces spanning 25 roles and is designed for 25,000 employees working in 120 hotels worldwide. It was tested with 110 staff members in different regions ahead of launch and will begin rolling out from the end of 2026.

Rather than introducing a single standardised traditional uniform, Le Vestiaire is structured as a flexible wardrobe. Employees can mix and match garments depending on their role, location and personal comfort.

Maud Bailly, CEO of Sofitel, MGallery and Emblems, says: “We are entering a moment when Sofitel has fully regained its pride, at a time when so many of our hotels are being beautifully renovated - such as Sofitel New York, Sofitel Montreal Golden Mile, and many more - and when new Sofitel properties are opening around the world as true flagships of the brand. It was essential to me that our teams - the very essence of luxury - could also benefit from this new era of beauty. It felt only natural that they should shine more than ever. I am delighted by this collaboration with Cordelia de Castellane, who has perfectly captured the spirit of a refined, timeless wardrobe, celebrating French elegance and luxury.”

De Castellane approached the brief as a fashion project rather than a uniform redesign. She worked directly with Sofitel employees, known internally as Heartists, attending workshops and fittings to understand how garments needed to support movement across different roles, from Front Office to Housekeeping.

“For this project, I didn’t want to create uniforms, I wanted to design a vestiaire. The idea is simple: pick and choose a look that fits the right place and the right position. Most importantly, I knew I didn’t want to lock people into a specific uniform,” she says.

The wardrobe includes tailored jackets, waistcoats, dresses, trousers and skirts, alongside accessories such as belts and scarf brooches. A core palette of navy blue, coconut milk, beige and denim blue runs throughout the collection. Sofitel’s Cultural Link symbol appears discreetly on belt buckles and detailing, while a hand-drawn monogram has been incorporated into scarves, shirts, dresses and ties.

Key pieces include La Saharienne, a modern interpretation of the safari jacket designed as a unisex staple, Le gilet cintré, a fitted waistcoat, and La robe iconique, a midi dress finished with a Cultural Link belt. Each piece is designed to transition between formal and more relaxed settings, depending on styling.

Sustainability has been factored into the design process. Sofitel says materials were selected for durability and breathability, with repairability built into construction to extend the life of each garment.

Employees involved in early testing cited comfort and adaptability as central benefits. One Front Desk team member says: “For me, it’s really about comfort. As part of the Front Desk team at Sofitel, I’m on my feet all day, moving between guests and the back office, and when you’re comfortable in your uniform, you feel more confident. It helps you stay calm, polished and welcoming, even during the busiest moments.”

Another employee working in Guest Services adds: “It feels much more modern than what we’ve worn before. Working in Guest Services, I’m constantly moving around the lobby, helping guests and responding quickly, and the uniform just feels easier to move in. It fits the energy of Sofitel today - elegant, but not rigid.”

By framing Le Vestiaire as a wardrobe rather than a traditional uniform, Sofitel is repositioning staff attire as part of the guest experience and brand narrative. As more luxury hotel groups invest in renovation and brand refresh programmes, the appearance and comfort of frontline teams are increasingly viewed as central to the perception of modern hospitality.

The global rollout of Le Vestiaire will begin at the end of 2026, with individual hotels curating selections that suit local climate and culture while maintaining a consistent Sofitel aesthetic.