It’s no accident that George and Cisco Gorrow named their destination hotel The Slow. Their creation is a serene oasis amidst the rapid development and thrumming tourist trade of the Bali surf hotspot of Canggu, and it offers the best kind of counterprogramming.
Coming from a background in art and fashion – including George’s denim-heavy label Ksubi two decades ago – the married couple settled on the island after living in Sydney, Los Angeles and New York. But rather than take it easy in 2017 they decided to found a different kind of hotel. Offering gorgeous accommodation as well as an effortlessly cool restaurant, bar and store in-house, the space also doubles (or is that triples?) as a colour-soaked art gallery. Basically, the pair are having their cake and eating it too.
“Though we now channel most of our energy into the hospitality arena, our roots are still firmly in the world of fashion,” George Gorrow says. “Our in-house retail space offers select pieces designed by us and our friends, including menswear by Non-Type, ceramics by Cisco & the Sun and T-shirts that show the works of artists and musicians that have collaborated with The Slow.”
The Gorrows are experts at finding special items on the island to take home and cherish forever.
Alta Moda
“The temptation to tailor your own clothes is strong in Bali,” says George. “There’s the island's high-quality craftsmanship and limitless array of fabric.” Indonesia’s most popular chain of fabric retailers is Alta Moda, whose boutique in Legian is an especially impressive place to stock up. Intricate colours and patterns abound, making it a perfect beacon for the Instagram age. “[It’s] stacked floor to ceiling with every shade and texture under the sun,” George says. “Their in-house tailors know their age-old trade without fault, and have crafted us some of the best suits known to man.”
Jl. Patih Jelantik, Istana Kuta Galeria, Blok Entrance I No. 03–06, Kuta.
Dream Good
It’s no surprise that surfing is a dominant pastime in Bali, but Dream Good stands out from the crowded pack thanks to a well-curated array of boards, clothes, sunnies and much more. “This is where we go to buy custom surfboards by Dead Kooks, shaped by our friend Eden [Saul], as well as board shorts by Saltys and cool photographic prints by Kane Skennar,” George says. As for comfortable, environmentally friendly footwear for the beach, check out Indosole’s upcycled slides, found here in various eye-popping colours.
Canggu, North Kuta
Cove Island Essentials
“Homewares shops are a dime a dozen in Canggu and Seminyak, but finding somewhere with truly unique, earthy pieces is not so simple,” Cisco says. Enter Cove Island Essentials, whose selection looks breezy and cool but is actually painstakingly selective. “Their curation nods to our own interior sensibilities, and you can pick up something to treasure forever no matter your budget.” That makes it ideal for a no-pressure browse.
Jl. Pantai Berawa No.50, Canggu
Canaan
Billed “a dwelling place for a sustainable life”, Canaan is a gallery and boutique housed in Seminyak’s Katamama Hotel, focusing largely on Indonesian-made clothing and homewares. “The nook of Canaan is one of our true loves,” say the Gorrows. “The curation features naturally dyed textiles and shiboris, ceramic treasures and unique jewels. Despite being a teeny tiny space, we could happily spend hours in there.” Canaan also offers workshops, collaborations and an online store.
Katamama Hotel, Jl. Petitenget No.51B, Seminyak
Non-Type
Nestled in room 14 of The Slow, Non-Type would be a justifiable favourite even in another location. “Non-Type features crisp fabrics, clean colours and perfected tailoring, allowing for easy day-to-night outfits that cross beyond the constraints of genre,” George says. And amidst the colour-saturated tones of Bali, the store’s black-and-white aesthetic truly stands out.
Pantai Batu Bolong Street No.97, Canggu
This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with Bupa.
