Louis Vuitton x Tristan du Plessis

It's not like local interior architect TRISTAN DU PLESSIS hadn't already made it big, creating restaurant interiors from Rome to Miami. But when LOUIS VUITTON comes knocking... Well, that's another level altogether. Read more about his design of the French brand's new SHANGHAI CAFÉ.

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Created by celebrated South African interior architect Tristan du Plessis, it's a design that harks back to bygone ocean liners and their stylish dining rooms. We spoke to Tristan about the project, what inspired his design, and what it was like to work with this iconic brand.

When approaching a space with such cultural and brand weight, where did your initial creative spark come from?

"The brand's rich heritage and the timeless romance of travel served as the creative catalyst, offering us a nearly cinematic framework within which to build the design narrative."

And how did you interpret LV's iconic French identity within the context of Shanghai's contemporary landscape?

"It was essential to strike a cultural balance between the local context and the brand's storied heritage. Shanghai, with its dramatic contrast between the contemporary and the old-world, set the tone for our approach. This duality became a central narrative in the design - where modern expression meets historic nuance - all while weaving in authentic brand elements, from functional Louis Vuitton trunks to subtle brand signatures embedded throughout the space."