I was very excited when I found out that fashion designer Yoshiyuki Ogata has been named "Master of Look" at Lan Kwai's latest hotspot, Robata Zawazawa. Ogata's name might not immediately ring a bell to beauty pageant fanatics, but they will no doubt remember Kurara Chibana's winning National Costume at Miss Universe 2006, in Los Angeles. Media impresario Ines Ligron, erstwhile director of Miss Universe Japan, decided to march her delegate out as a sexed-up samurai-on-stilettos.
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| Miss Universe Japan 2006, Kurara Chibana |
But beauty pageants aren't really Ogata's bag. He is best known for translating Japanese artisanal crafts into contemporary streetwear. His designs are stocked in upscale London and L.A. boutiques.
Robata Zawazawa enters the highly saturated market of Hong Kong F&B with a unique proposition of surprisingly affordable food, quirky cocktails and boisterous service, all enjoyed on a wooden bar that wraps around the open kitchen. Noteworthy are the bright yuzu cocktails and the mysterious Zawa fries. The music is a campy selection of happy tunes that freely span cultural milieus. I also adored the swatches of exquisite kimono fabrics that festoon the walls and the fancy paper lanterns that look like suspended UFOs.
Japanese culture takes itself very seriously. Thanfully at Zawazawa, the gustatory experience is juxtaposed against hip and playful whimsy.
Kampai!
With Affection,
James
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| "I'm ready for my close-up, Mr. DeMille!" |
1 comment:
Terrific venue, must try soon!
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