Louis Vuitton is opening its first luxury restaurant next month
Louis Vuitton isn't just selling fashion anymore — its adding a restaurant to its new four-level flagship store in Osaka, Japan. WWD has learned that the flagship, which will open on Feb. 1, will house Le Café V on the top floor. The cafe is slated to open on Feb. 5 with a menu by acclaimed Japanese chef Yosuke Suga and an adjoining bar and terrace.
While the exact menu has yet to be revealed, dinner will be served upon a charger plate inspired by the famous monogram and designed by Tokujin Yoshioka, the designer behind its Objets Nomades of home and travel items.
“We think the so-called experiential luxury is something that will be important in the future,” Jean-Jacques Guiony, chief financial officer of LVMH told WWD.
Michael Burke, chairman and chief executive officer of Vuitton, also hinted that hotels could be a future development for the luxury brand.
Its French luxury goods conglomerate LVMH Moët Hennessy has been gradually ramping up its presence in the hospitality business. In 2019, LVMH acquired the Belmond group, which owns 46 luxury hotels, a restaurant, a train and a river cruise in over 20 countries. This year, LVMH is opening its first Cheval Blanc in Paris within the former department store La Samaritaine's building, which will also house the first Paris location of Langosteria, a high-end seafood restaurant. It will also be renovating its Dior flagship store in New York City and adding a restaurant to its features.
Food and fashion have a long history of collaborating, whether it be on the runway at Moschino, between Forever 21 and Cheetos or the famed Polo Bar in NYC. However, luxury fashion brands have yet to really tap into the full experience. Perhaps we could see a Louis Vuitton hotel with monogrammed bedding in the near future.
