Yesterday we told you about the uwishunu Hip Hotel Room Makeover — underway now at The Westin, Philadelphia. Well, this whole dream is far more complex than I originally envisioned, mostly because we’re trying to involve as many local artisans and designers as possible. Plus, we’re looking at every single thing in a typical hotel room and re-designing or starting from scratch to make sure we offer a uniquely Philly experience.

On that mission, I traveled a few blocks east of the hotel yesterday to check on the room’s “amenities,” which basically means the stuff in the bathroom you can tuck into your suitcase and take home if you really, really like it — items like shampoos and soaps and other cool stuff that smells good.

Duross & Langel, green and natural savoniers of the first order, are making an amazing collection for our uwishunu bathroom, including deeply delicious Cherry Almond hair conditioner and a vegetable protein deodorant with a zesty limon scent that reminds me of freshly bathed children and summer weddings. If you check in, you’ll also get lip balm, shampoo, shower gel and D&L’s Ocean-scent soap, poured and mixed right in the beautiful little cupcake of a shop.

While there I met Steve Duross, co owner with his partner James, and we conferred about custom labels for our collection which will feature the photography of local artist Jenny Lynn, who also joined us for the scentual meeting, together with co-leader of the room design team Eileen Tognini. (Jenny’s also designing our shower curtain but I’ll save that story for later. Hint: think flags and her iconic body imagery.) If you can’t check in anytime soon, you’ll be able to order uwishunu’s custom collection from Steve and James through their website, and if you’re in the neighborhood, it’s a must-stop. You might even stumble in when a soap-making workshop’s in session — maybe you’ll end up making some of our stuff!

When not remaking hotel rooms, Errin Cecil-Smith is uwishunu’s program director.

Photos by J. Smith for uwishunu.com

Duross & Langel
1218 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 735-7075