“Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only,” once said designer Coco Chanel. “Fashion is in the sky, in the street. Fashion has to do with the ideas, the way we live, what is happening.”
Little wonder then that luxury brands have been venturing outside the fashion industry – to restaurants in fact. Far from being far-flung spots in Europe and beyond, these spaces can be had in Asia. Here, chic food lovers congregate to enjoy the synergy between aesthetics and gastronomy.
Little wonder then that luxury brands have been venturing outside the fashion industry – to restaurants in fact. Far from being far-flung spots in Europe and beyond, these spaces can be had in Asia. Here, chic food lovers congregate to enjoy the synergy between aesthetics and gastronomy.
Chanel’s Beige Alain Ducasse
Beige Alain Ducasse Tokyo, awarded two Michelin stars in 2016, is a collaboration between Chanel and French chef Alain Ducasse, whose restaurants hold multiple Michelin stars.
Beige, like fashion, emphasises bringing out the inherent flavour of seasonal produce. Each ingredient is carefully selected, be it Japanese seafood, Meishan pork from Ibaraki, fresh vegetables from Kamakura, milk-fed veal from the Oakleaf Farm in Hokkaido, chicken from Bresse, lobster from Bretagne.
The interior décor, designed by Peter Marino, blends Japanese and European features without being ostentatious – perfectly upholding Chanel’s motto, ‘Simplicity is the keynote of all true elegance.’ Tokyo Chanel Ginza Building 10F, 3-5-3 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0061.
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Beige Alain Ducasse Tokyo, awarded two Michelin stars in 2016, is a collaboration between Chanel and French chef Alain Ducasse, whose restaurants hold multiple Michelin stars.
Beige, like fashion, emphasises bringing out the inherent flavour of seasonal produce. Each ingredient is carefully selected, be it Japanese seafood, Meishan pork from Ibaraki, fresh vegetables from Kamakura, milk-fed veal from the Oakleaf Farm in Hokkaido, chicken from Bresse, lobster from Bretagne.
The interior décor, designed by Peter Marino, blends Japanese and European features without being ostentatious – perfectly upholding Chanel’s motto, ‘Simplicity is the keynote of all true elegance.’ Tokyo Chanel Ginza Building 10F, 3-5-3 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0061.
BULGARI’S Il Ristorante Luca Fantin
Il Ristorante Luca Fantin is arguably Bvlgari’s most famous restaurant in Tokyo, with one Michelin star. Italian architect Antonio Citterio designed the interior. According to the Michelin Guide Tokyo, one must-have dish is the Tagliolini made with uni and carrot juice whilst enjoying the sunlight streaming in through the sweeping floor-to-ceiling windows.
Bulgari Tokyo also has a chocolatier, Il Cioccolato, where it sells handmade chocolate that appeals to both your palate and your eyes. Ginza Tower 9F, 2-7-12 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0061.
MARNI Flower Café
In this small but picturesque casual café operated by Italian fashion label Marni, you can buy flowers, exclusive household products, and enjoy tea in a bright, colourful and cosy setting. While the décor might seem cheerful and hint at a light-hearted experience, the food here is taken seriously. Taking its cue from Italian cuisine and the slow-food culture, the establishment is especially proud of its focaccia made with carefully chosen ingredients. 3F, Umeda Hankyu Department Store, 8-7 Kakudacho, Kita-ku, Osaka 530-8350.
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In this small but picturesque casual café operated by Italian fashion label Marni, you can buy flowers, exclusive household products, and enjoy tea in a bright, colourful and cosy setting. While the décor might seem cheerful and hint at a light-hearted experience, the food here is taken seriously. Taking its cue from Italian cuisine and the slow-food culture, the establishment is especially proud of its focaccia made with carefully chosen ingredients. 3F, Umeda Hankyu Department Store, 8-7 Kakudacho, Kita-ku, Osaka 530-8350.
Café Dior by Pierre Hermé
Café Dior, under the management of the renowned French pastry chef Pierre Hermé, sits on the top floor of Seoul’s House of Dior, with both indoor and outdoor seating. The sleek white building, designed by French architect Christian de Portzamparc, is situated in the fashionable Gangnam area. It offers Pierre Hermé’s signature Rosa Damascena and Ispahan flavours in the form of macarons and croissants. 464 Apgujeong-ro, Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul.
Café Dior, under the management of the renowned French pastry chef Pierre Hermé, sits on the top floor of Seoul’s House of Dior, with both indoor and outdoor seating. The sleek white building, designed by French architect Christian de Portzamparc, is situated in the fashionable Gangnam area. It offers Pierre Hermé’s signature Rosa Damascena and Ispahan flavours in the form of macarons and croissants. 464 Apgujeong-ro, Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul.
Hermès: Café Madang
You can find Café Madang on the lowest floor of the Hermès flagship store in Seoul which also details the history of the luxury brand. This is a café that takes pride in its brand heritage as even the tableware is made by Hermès, patterned with the brand’s classic Chaîne d'Ancre. Desserts, provided by the culinary team in The Shilla, Seoul, are adorned with H-shaped chocolates. 7 Dosan-daero 45-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul.
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You can find Café Madang on the lowest floor of the Hermès flagship store in Seoul which also details the history of the luxury brand. This is a café that takes pride in its brand heritage as even the tableware is made by Hermès, patterned with the brand’s classic Chaîne d'Ancre. Desserts, provided by the culinary team in The Shilla, Seoul, are adorned with H-shaped chocolates. 7 Dosan-daero 45-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul.
1921 Gucci
Opened in 2015, Shanghai’s 1921 Gucci serves mainly Italian, full-course meals. ‘1921’ refers to the year Gucci was founded in Florence, Italy. The restaurant’s colour scheme is quintessentially Gucci: black, gold and brown. Gucci also has cafés in Milan, Florence and Tokyo. 4F, IAPM Mall, 999 Huaihai Middle Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai.
Opened in 2015, Shanghai’s 1921 Gucci serves mainly Italian, full-course meals. ‘1921’ refers to the year Gucci was founded in Florence, Italy. The restaurant’s colour scheme is quintessentially Gucci: black, gold and brown. Gucci also has cafés in Milan, Florence and Tokyo. 4F, IAPM Mall, 999 Huaihai Middle Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai.
Armani/Aqua
It is fair to say that Armani was the first luxury brand to enter the catering industry, starting in 1989 on a global scale. It now has footholds in Cannes, Dubai, London, etc. Armani/Aqua in Hong Kong is an Italian-Japanese restaurant helmed by Italian chef Emesto Tonetto for the Italian kitchen while the Japanese kitchen has Japanese chef Tatsuya Iwahashi heading the team. Landmark Chater, 2/F, 8 Connaught Rd Central, Central, Hong Kong.
It is fair to say that Armani was the first luxury brand to enter the catering industry, starting in 1989 on a global scale. It now has footholds in Cannes, Dubai, London, etc. Armani/Aqua in Hong Kong is an Italian-Japanese restaurant helmed by Italian chef Emesto Tonetto for the Italian kitchen while the Japanese kitchen has Japanese chef Tatsuya Iwahashi heading the team. Landmark Chater, 2/F, 8 Connaught Rd Central, Central, Hong Kong.
Vivienne Westwood Café
Vivienne Westwood, elegant, opulent, with a hint of quirkiness, incorporates such qualities in her food as well as clothes. The café is colourful and divided into two sections: the 18th century and movie studio themes. This juxtaposition of vintage and modern is a concept that reflects the intrinsic link between design, fashion and food. Look closer, and you can find Vivienne Westwood’s iconic orb everywhere in the café, even in the Latte art. 2F, K11 Mall, 300 Huaihai Middle Rd, Xuhui District, Shanghai and Harbour City, 3 - 27 Canton Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong.
Vivienne Westwood, elegant, opulent, with a hint of quirkiness, incorporates such qualities in her food as well as clothes. The café is colourful and divided into two sections: the 18th century and movie studio themes. This juxtaposition of vintage and modern is a concept that reflects the intrinsic link between design, fashion and food. Look closer, and you can find Vivienne Westwood’s iconic orb everywhere in the café, even in the Latte art. 2F, K11 Mall, 300 Huaihai Middle Rd, Xuhui District, Shanghai and Harbour City, 3 - 27 Canton Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong.
Agnès B. Café L.P.G.
‘L.P.G.’ stands for ‘le Pain Grillé’, or ‘toast’ in French, signifying that the high-street fashion brand maintains an approachable position in its café venture. Pricing here is kept affordable with and many of its Hong Kong outlets are operated via self-service.If you’re in Kowloon Tong, keep an eye out of ta flower shop named Agnès B FLEURISTE. Shop 1, G/F, 111 Leighton Road, Causeway Bay, HK, etc
Recommended reading: View more dining out stories here.
‘L.P.G.’ stands for ‘le Pain Grillé’, or ‘toast’ in French, signifying that the high-street fashion brand maintains an approachable position in its café venture. Pricing here is kept affordable with and many of its Hong Kong outlets are operated via self-service.If you’re in Kowloon Tong, keep an eye out of ta flower shop named Agnès B FLEURISTE. Shop 1, G/F, 111 Leighton Road, Causeway Bay, HK, etc
Recommended reading: View more dining out stories here.
