Peter Arnell goes down memory lane with George Wayne
Put two legends like Peter Arnell and George Wayne in a room, and the conversation will wend its way through a who’s who of famous people and luxury branding. Yet in their recent interview, the pair also got a lot deeper into Peter’s history and inspirations.
Early Inspirations
Peter Arnell’s journey into the world of design began when he was just 15 years old. His uncle, Emanuel Abraben, an architect, introduced him to Morris Lapidus—a moment Arnell describes as the true beginning of his path. “We visited Morris’s house,” he recalls, “and that’s where my journey began.” This encounter would set the stage for Arnell’s future in design and branding.
The Donna Karan Revolution
In 1984, at just 26 years old, Arnell would play a pivotal role in defining a brand that would speak to a generation of professional women. Patti Cohen, Donna Karan’s head of communications, discovered Arnell’s work at Bergdorf Goodman, which led to a marathon 12-hour interview that would set the core identity of the Donna Karan brand.
“Donna wanted me to push the boundaries, destroy convention, and drive toward highly innovative, unique ideas,” Arnell remembers. His approach was visceral and authentic—roaming New York with a point-and-shoot Contax camera, capturing the city’s raw energy. The result was a defining image that every Brooklynite immediately recognizes and was also personal to Arnell. He recounts, “in one of the most memorable sites of my own childhood – a spot at the base of the Brooklyn Bridge where my grandfather had worked – I was able to capture what became one of the defining images of the Donna Karan brand: the Brooklyn Bridge, piercing the mid-winter mist rising off of the East River.” Turned into a DKNY mural on the corner of Broadway and Houston, this iconic image remained in place for 20 years.
The World of Luxury Branding
Arnell’s talent led him to work with some of the most prestigious names in fashion. He worked on a significant project for Gucci. “Dan Zuzunaga and I edited and designed the last book on Gucci with Frida Giannini – the woman who took over Gucci when Tom (Ford) left. We did this fabulous coffee table book with her called GUCCI: The Making Of, and the branding for the 90th anniversary.” He also worked on the Gucci Museo at Piazza Signoria Florence. His experience with Gucci was profound: “I will tell you, spending hours and hours and hours in the Gucci archives working on that book… poring over the vast pedigree of Gucci – just extraordinary.” His philosophy? “Gucci has to become a canvas in order to become extraordinary again. The Mantra is always to be groundbreaking, unique, and taking an interdisciplinary approach to graphic design from an art/industrial perspective.”
To Wayne’s surprise, Arnell’s connection with Chanel was equally impressive. Though the Wertheimer brothers are an enigma in the fashion world, Peter actually worked with them on the “Allure” fragrance launch.
The Muhammad Ali Connection
Perhaps one of the most profound relationships in Arnell’s life was with Muhammad Ali. Meeting in 1998 and continuing their friendship until Ali’s passing in 2016, Arnell speaks of Ali with deep reverence. “Muhammad Ali has been so integral to my sense of purpose… creativity, humanity, everything,” he says, describing Ali as the “Original G.O.A.T.”
The Fontainebleau: A Total Brand Experience
No history of Peter Arnell’s career would be complete without talking about The Fontainebleau Las Vegas. Arnell’s inspiration came from history and from doing his “homework.” When they started the project, Arnell explains that they, “spent forever recreating the archives of 1954…I know all the answers lie in the DNA.”
As he describes it, the project was a “360-degree approach to the brand,” where every detail—from linens to logos—was carefully considered to reflect the hotel’s rich heritage. “With destination hotels like Fontainebleau, every detail matters. The history of the brand is woven into every detail, with icons and symbols seamlessly integrated into the design to reflect its rich heritage and authentic character “
Throughout the conversation, George Wayne couldn’t help but marvel at Arnell’s journey, exclaiming, “Oooh, that’s why I love you so much, guru Peter! We could talk shop for hours!”
Spanning decades, industries, and the very essence of creative innovation, this walk down memory lane is a fascinating glimpse into the world of branding, design, and the personalities that shape our visual culture.
