It’s no doubt that strong, talented women help make the hospitality industry as robust and dynamic as it is today, so in honor of Women’s History Month, HD is taking a moment to highlight some of the leaders who inspire us day in and day out. Here, we catch up with Verena Haller, chief design officer for Standard Hotels, about the importance of supporting each other, what fuels her passion for her job, and the advice she’d tell a woman just beginning her career.
As a woman in design, what have been your most positive experiences?
Along the way, I’ve met some amazing, powerful women leaders [who] I was [inspired by]. I was always told that ‘If you can see it, you can be it,’ and that’s what has kept me going.
On the other hand, what have been the challenges you’ve faced as a woman in an industry?
There have been hundreds and hundreds of difficult times, where I felt that something wasn’t fair or I wasn’t being heard. You can be sad and angry, but at the end of the day, you have to go in and be strong again the next morning. Every day is a new day, and you have to conquer it again. What I realized in the role I’m in now, you need to do the work until you get to a place where you can comfortably sit in a room full of men in a construction meeting and hold your own. I’ve always felt that the creative design world is a little bit more forgiving, but when it comes to the more technical and architectural conversations, that’s where the rubber hits the road. That’s when you need to be comfortable and confident.
Who helped elevate you and your career?
Anda Andrei, who I worked with and for—she’s an icon. The way she handled every single situation, the way she taught me and many others, was so graceful. That’s truly who she is and how she is.
And [Standard International president] Amber Asher. Having her as a supporter is wonderful. I hear this from Amber over and over again, and she is right: ‘Put your head down and get your work done and it will show.’ That is so incredibly true. Hearing that from somebody who wants nothing else than for other women to succeed is incredibly encouraging.
The Standard planted its maiden flag in Asia in the fall of 2019 with the Standard, Huruvalhi Maldives
In what ways do you aim to elevate other women in the industry?
Interestingly enough, my team is a total female team—I have single moms on my team, mothers with husbands and kids. Moms do a double job as a minimum. It’s my responsibility to make sure they are able to continue [the passion they have at work to the home]. It’s not always easy to do, but it means open and honest conversations. It means allowing [a team member] to say I can’t do this today, but I will be able to do this next week, and for that to be okay. I learn every day to be more thoughtful and present and to support every single person on my team.
What advice would you offer to a woman just starting out in the design industry?
First of all, be gentle with yourself. We’re always our biggest critics. I would also say focus on yourself. It’s important to understand what’s going on out there, but comparing yourself with others is not helpful, because we all have our own personalities, our own talents, our own path. When I was younger, I thought I should be where this or that person was, but it’s not true. Staying calm and a little bit relaxed with yourself when it comes to your career is helpful. It will happen if you work hard and believe in yourself.
Who should we be paying attention to in the industry?
Sophie Ashby of [London-based] Studio Ashby. I came across her when I was looking for a designer for a property in Europe. The project, unfortunately, didn’t work out, but we’ve stayed in touch. She’s very different than any designer I’ve met; she has her own style in representing herself and she goes her own path. She is somebody I admire.
The July 2019 opening of the Standard, London yielded the company’s first global outpost
What keeps you passionate?
Knowing what an incredible joy it is to open the doors of a hotel that you have worked on for so many years. In our work, one of the hardest things we do is the two months leading up to an opening, but the reward you get—just thinking about it gives me goosebumps. That’s what fuels the passion in me.
What are you currently working on?
We’re finishing up the renovation of our Miami property with Shawn Hausman, who designed it to begin with, which is going to open in a few months. Miami is one of our jewels, and we’re excited to relaunch a completely fresh experience. We’re also opening two properties in Thailand [at the end of the year]—an urban hotel in Bangkok and a resort in Hua Hin.
Click here for more Women’s History Month coverage from HD.
