Louis Vuitton has chosen Osaka, Japan, to debut the restaurant world with a dual project involving the famous Japanese chef Yosuke Suga. The maison has opened a rooftop bar on the fourth floor of its Osaka store called “Le Cafè V” and a “Sugalabo V” restaurant. The latter is the extension of Chef Suga’s restaurant in Tokyo, open only for dinner and accessible through secret doors in a speakeasy style. The project had already been talked about since last January.
The architect Jun Aoki, former creator of two of Louis Vuitton’s Japanese boutiques, and interior designer Tokujin Yoshioka, formerly in charge of the brand’s furniture line and travel accessories, contributed to the realization of the project. The first was responsible for creating the interior spaces and was inspired by a nautical concept; the second has instead signed both environments’ futuristic furnishings.
The new place to be for fashionistas and fashionistas, it is easy to imagine that it will be traditional Japanese cuisine revisited in a contemporary way. However, what is known is that only in the LV brand branch will exclusive dishes be served in a large open kitchen close to the few available tables. Tablecloths and cutlery are obviously branded LV. The environment and spaces are also closely inspired by the Louis Vuitton aesthetic. Velvet armchairs, golden details, and Monogram trunks make the restaurant highly “Instagrammable”. The two venues will be officially open to the public from February 15.
While waiting to enjoy the Louis Vuitton signature dinner, you could console yourself with a Breakfast at Tiffany’s inside Harrods. The brand, now owned by LVMH, recently opened the Blue Box Cafe in London. But not only. The combination of food and fashion knows no setbacks. Not surprisingly, there are countless examples of Maison that launch themselves into catering. From the bright green of the Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura in Florence to the Mediterranean ode of Jacquemus, who brought his Provence to Paris with Oursin and Citron in the setting of the Galeries Lafayette. The Torre di Miuccia restaurant, inside the Prada Foundation in Milan, to the historic Dior boutique on Avenue Montaigne in Paris, currently undergoing renovations, will soon reopen with an attached restaurant.
“We think that so-called experiential luxury is essential for our market,” said Jean-Jacques Guiony, the chief financial officer of LVMH. It is to be believed, considering that according to the recent Altagamma Worldwide Luxury Market Monitor study by Bain & Co., The average spending on gourmet food grew by 6% in 2019.
