Drybar’s Alli Webb: FACES of the South

America's South is experiencing a significant surge in design-forward hotels, with several design firms expertly blending traditional aesthetics with contemporary design. This trend is producing impressive new hospitality projects that rival the best luxury hotels globally. Morris Adjmi Architects (MA) is at the forefront of this hospitality design boom, particularly in Atlanta and Charleston, where the firm is redefining southern hospitality for a modern context. One notable project is the FORTH Hotel & Social Club in Atlanta's Fourth Ward. Developed and designed in collaboration with Method Co., the hotel features a distinctive diagrid facade and rich, tailored interiors. Morris Adjmi Architects' modern interpretation of early American traditions is evident in the handmade wooden furnishings, layered fabrics, and curated objects that imbue each space with a sense of history. FORTH Atlanta, including its pool area, showcases a harmonious blend of historical inspiration and contemporary execution, aiming to offer an instant sense of belonging. In Charleston, The Pinch, a new luxury boutique hotel, also involves Method Co.'s in-house design studio, Method Studios, in collaboration with Morris Adjmi Architects. This unique development comprises a new three-story structure and three meticulously restored buildings dating back to 1843, located on lower King Street. The design of The Pinch, a luxury hospitality complex, incorporates two distinct facades for the new building: a contextually appropriate limestone facade for King Street and a brick facade for the mews. The property includes a bespoke ground-floor restaurant and a courtyard with an outdoor fireplace. The interior design draws inspiration from English craftsmanship traditions brought to Charleston, featuring timeless yet contemporary elements like velvet sofas, vintage rugs, custom décor, full kitchens, Italian marble farmhouse sinks, and hand-painted terracotta Moroccan floor tiles in the bathrooms. The lobby is designed to feel like a living room, complete with a reclaimed oxblood leather concierge desk, vintage McIntosh stereo, and a curated collection of vinyl, books, and artwork. Traditional details like walnut herringbone floors, classic trim, stonework, and clay plaster walls further reinforce the historical context. Another project by Morris Adjmi Architects is the Asher / ROOST Tampa, a Method Co. endeavor in Tampa's Water Street district. This LEED Gold-certified multifamily building, the largest residential structure in the area, features a grid of factory-style windows as a nod to Tampa’s industrial past, maximizing natural light. It offers a comprehensive package of indoor-outdoor amenities, including a lush rooftop pool. The building houses 501 units, from studios to two-bedroom apartments, along with unique co-living units featuring lockable bedrooms and communal spaces. The interiors balance modern living with timeless materials such as American oak, concrete, terrazzo, walnut, stone, brass, and Venetian plaster, in neutral tones accented by soft greens and living plants. MA also curated FF&E and artwork, including custom commissions, for the common areas. Future projects from Morris Adjmi Architects include the Four Seasons – Charleston and 529 King. The Charleston Hotel & Residences, a five-star hotel with for-sale condominiums, aims to be a modern reinterpretation of Charleston’s historic architecture. It will activate a new public courtyard with retail and gardens. Similarly, 529 King, an extended-stay 'apartment hotel' with amenities, features distinct arched windows and a fiber-reinforced concrete-clad canopy, which earned it architectural merit. This project includes a lush interior courtyard and a penthouse level with a restaurant and rooftop bar, contributing to the architectural renaissance in the American South, led by Morris Adjmi Architects. #HotelDesign #SouthernHospitality #LuxuryHotels #MorrisAdjmiArchitects #MethodCo #CharlestonArchitecture #AtlantaDesign #TampaDevelopments #BoutiqueHotels

Alli Webb, the entrepreneurial force behind Drybar, Squeeze, and Brightside, shares insights into her journey, motivations, and the personal challenges detailed in her new memoir, "The Messy Truth." Webb's career began with a passion for hairstyling, specifically blowouts, leading her to train at Toni & Guy and work under John Sahag in New York City. This foundation in hair care eventually propelled her to launch Drybar in 2010, revolutionizing the beauty industry with its focus on affordable, high-quality blowouts. Following Drybar's success, Webb expanded her entrepreneurial ventures into the wellness sector. She co-founded Squeeze, a massage boutique, and more recently, Brightside, an infrared yoga and sauna studio. The decision to create Squeeze stemmed from identifying a market gap similar to the one Drybar filled in hair care: a need for a mid-range, convenient massage service that offered a superior experience compared to budget options, while being more accessible than high-end spas. Her brother, who was also frustrated with limited massage choices, helped spark the idea, and the brand differentiates itself with a user-friendly app for booking and tipping, aiming for customizable and convenient experiences. Webb emphasizes that a core philosophy connects all her businesses: creating spaces that make people feel good, both internally and externally. Whether it's the confidence derived from a perfect blowout, the relaxation from a massage, or the rejuvenation from yoga and sauna, each brand contributes to an overarching mission of well-being and pampering. These ventures are not merely establishments but designed experiences that leave clients feeling uplifted. "The Messy Truth," Webb's latest endeavor, is a personal memoir released on November 14th. The primary inspiration for the book was to demystify the entrepreneurial journey, revealing the often-unseen struggles behind success. Webb candidly discusses significant personal upheavals she faced during Drybar's growth, including divorce, her son's battle with addiction, and her own struggles with depression. She aimed to connect with readers, especially women, who might be navigating similar personal and professional challenges, and to challenge the illusion of perfect balance often associated with successful careers and family life. She particularly highlights the chapter "balance is bullshit," advocating for doing one's best rather than striving for unattainable perfection. Readers of "The Messy Truth" can expect to uncover a more vulnerable side of Webb. She delves into her past tendencies to prioritize external validation over internal fulfillment, a realization that came during her Drybar years. The book explores her journey of self-discovery, acknowledging her ego, and learning not to let external praise dictate her self-worth. She also reflects on a period after selling Drybar where she prioritized romantic relationships, regretting that her personal growth took a backseat. Through these confessions, Webb aims to offer relatable insights into ongoing personal development and self-care. For aspiring entrepreneurs, Webb's advice is to maintain a beginner's mindset, fostering continuous learning and growth. A piece of advice that profoundly influenced her is the mantra to "be kind and treat others the way you hope to be treated," drawing inspiration from Gandhi's quote, "Be the change you want to see in the world." Her self-care routine, critical to her wellness, includes meticulous skin and body care, a healthy diet, regular infrared sauna and cold plunge sessions, weightlifting, daily walks, and ample water intake. She also incorporates mental wellness practices, such as daily gratitude journaling, into her routine. Looking ahead, Webb is continuously brainstorming new business ideas, driven by a strong desire to mentor and support other entrepreneurs. She recently concluded the first Blueprint Mastermind series with Jaclyn Johnson and Marina Middleton, an initiative designed to help entrepreneurs scale their businesses, and plans to expand this program to continue her mission of empowering others. #AlliWebb #Drybar #TheMessyTruth #Entrepreneurship #Wellness #BeautyIndustry #Memoir #SelfCare #BusinessJourney