Perfectly Tailored

Found in every one of our hotels and proudly featured in our logo, the mannequin has been with us from the very beginning and has become something of a motif for Firmdale Hotels.

Its story begins at Dorset Square Hotel, the very first property purchased by Tim and Kit Kemp. With a limited budget that didn’t yet stretch to art or framed prints, Kit sought something that could bring warmth, personality, and visual interest to each room. The mannequin proved the perfect solution.

‘We realised that a mannequin would be perfect. It brought scale and a touch of the unexpected – plus, the opportunity for any number of different fabric and trim finishes, which was a useful way to add a contrasting or co-ordinating touch to a scheme.’

Kit Kemp

With its elegant form and playful potential, it added colour, pattern, and height to the space—part sculpture, part statement piece. Over time, it became more than just decoration; it evolved into a signature of Kit’s design philosophy. Today, each mannequin is dressed in fabrics and colours drawn from the room’s wider scheme, standing proudly as both muse and motif.

Best of all, our guests have grown to love this symbol of welcome, which has found itself unexpectedly adorned with anything from a tuxedo jacket draped around its shoulders at 2am, to a winter’s coat waiting for its next stroll through a frosty St James’ Park. 

Our mannequins are also available to buy over on Kit Kemp’s shop. Recreate a design from a favourite room at one of our hotels, or work with the team to create something totally bespoke.