Some of the biggest names in fashion are redefining what it means to bring new ideas to the table.
Fashion industry greats—including Ralph Lauren, Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, and Tiffany & Co.—are, perhaps, the original tastemakers, so it comes as no surprise that these iconic houses are also to thank for some of the world’s most chic eateries. As more designers fuse retail with culinary culture, guests are treated to a delicious new menu of brand expression.
In Dallas, the new Café Dior immerses diners into a fabulously French mecca inspired by the brand’s storied heritage. “Fashion and cuisine share a deep connection rooted in storytelling that fosters community and emotion,” says Café Dior’s three-Michelin-starred chef Dominique Crenn. Her artfully plated dishes, such as caviar d’or (golden osetra, egg jam, and smoked crème fraîche) and Marbella prawns (blue crystal prawns, XO sauce, and yogurt), pay a visual homage to some of Dior’s most iconic designs, like the elegant 1949 Miss Dior dress and the 1953 May gown.
The chic dining area inside the brand’s New York City flagship is dripping in Tiffany Blue, and the bill of fare follows suit with exquisite seasonal dishes like coquille St. Jacques (seared scallops, artichoke, and miso, as of this writing) and, of course, a devoted breakfast menu. The brand shares that they play with the “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” theme to offer diners their own glamorous moment, so they leave with memories as precious as Tiffany jewels.
Left Image: The tea tower at Blue Box Café includes scones, cookies, pastries, and tea sandwiches (Photo by: Adrian Gaut/courtesy of Tiffany & Co.) Right Image: The scallop soufflé features golden osetra caviar and Champagne éphémère (Photo by Sarah Flotard/courtesy of Louis Vuitton)
At Louis Vuitton, an expansive renovation of its New York City flagship brings Le Café Louis Vuitton stateside with a new dining approach from French chefs Arnaud Donckele and Maxime Frédéric, who are also behind the Michelin starred seasonal restaurant in Saint-Tropez.
This debut expands Louis Vuitton’s culinary portfolio, which includes multiple fine chocolate shops worldwide and other dining outposts like the new store/café hybrid Le Café Cyril Lignac inside London’s Heathrow Airport.
“I have long admired the work of the brand,” shares Le Café Louis Vuitton’s executive chef Christophe Bellanca. “I draw on visionary work as well as my background in fine dining and French cuisine to bring a unique experience to our diners—one that is luxurious yet approachable.”
Ralph Lauren is no stranger to marrying design and culinary concepts. The brand’s popular and prolific fashion-inspired culinary concept, Ralph’s Coffee, has more than 30 locations across three continents, including one in Tysons Galleria, an ICONIC property. It’s one of the in-crowd’s favorite spots to stop and sip. Signature special blends that are roasted by La Colombe and served in their iconic green and white cups, teas, and small bites evoke the timeless American elegance of the brand.
It’s clear that the recipe for success is to go beyond traditional products and extend to patrons a lifestyle. Informed by each brand’s artistry and craftsmanship, these hospitality hot spots remind us that luxury does, indeed, transcend form.
