Couture-inspired cuisine

Gaggan at Louis Vuitton invites guests on a culinary journey that reflects Louis Vuitton’s ‘Art of Travel’ ethos.

IN yet another stride towards its expansion as a global luxury lifestyle juggernaut, fashion house Louis Vuitton has unveiled LV The Place Bangkok, an exciting new concept that integrates the brand’s worlds of shopping, dining and culture in one destination.

Located at downtown retail complex Gaysorn Amarin, the experiential hub is where visitors will not only find a Louis Vuitton store but a branded café, an immersive exhibition showcasing the Maison’s history, and a restaurant helmed by renowned chef Gaggan Anand.

The glamorous space, spanning two floors, affords customers new ways to deeply immerse themselves in the Louis Vuitton universe. In addition to a sumptuous retail experience, visitors can soak in the various exhibitions dedicated to the brand’s artistic savoir-faire, design heritage and identity, or indulge in the impeccably crafted confections, desserts and treats at Le Café Louis Vuitton.

At the upper level of the LV The Place Bangkok is the crowning fine dining restaurant, Gaggan at Louis Vuitton, which invites guests on a culinary journey that reflects Louis Vuitton’s ‘Art of Travel’ ethos.

The gastronomic adventure, curated by acclaimed chef Gaggan Anand, encompasses a seasonal menu that is exclusive to Louis Vuitton, offered across both lunch and dinner. “The journey and story of Louis Vuitton himself is what inspired my tasting menu,” says Anand.

“For example, Louis Vuitton started in the Jura region of France, where he was originally from, so I took one of the most popular dishes from that region and turned it into a curry.”

According to the fashion house, diners will embark on a tantalising tour built upon the 5 ‘S’s — sweet, sour, salty, spicy and surprise — with appetising creations such as a Thai-inspired dressed lobster and a mushroom recipe in a Damier pattern.

Savouring in style

References to the fashion house’s legendary founder do not stop at the menu offerings. The elegantly designed dining space features notable details such as a pyramid of the iconic Louis Vuitton trunks which greet guests upon arrival. Embellishing the dining room are sleek Monogram flower lamps and resin structures by design studio Draga & Aurel.

“It’s not just about the food, but the setting,” emphasises the chef, who adds that inspiration for the décor came from being at Asnières, the historic home of Louis Vuitton. “Our private dining room, to me, feels like being inside an LV trunk, with a view into the kitchen. And that is something very cool and special. It is a transporting experience that’s on another level.”

Anand also revealed the collaboration process with Louis Vuitton was a reminder of the inherently human element of exceptional work and craft.

“I went to the Asnières ateliers and it helped me remember that everything is made by humans. These days, AI is everywhere, but we can see how the LV trunks are made by hand, by humans, for humans.”

He adds, “It’s like our restaurant, using food grown by humans and seafood caught by humans, cooked by humans, served by humans, and afterwards, cleaned up by humans.”

In addition to the original menu items at the fine dining restaurant, visitors will also have access to a range of unique and exclusive Louis Vuitton offerings at LV The Place Bangkok. For instance, the store will be the only one that is home to products like the Alma Nano Rainbow in five colours, a women’s Cruise 2024 T-shirt in four colours, and a men’s LV Trainer Upcycling sneaker in a special colourway.

Meanwhile, the exhibition space will take visitors on an exploration of the Maison’s journey through thematic rooms. The experience will highlight the stories of the Vuitton family, its iconic bags, and its ground-breaking collaborations, finally culminating in a surprise Giveaway Room. Here, visitors can win and take home their own souvenirs along with indelible memories, confirming that there’s no place like LV The Place Bangkok.