THE TAILOR’S TABLE: Canali is ramping up its global lifestyle proposition with a new venture in food and hospitality.
After last month naming tennis player Stefanos Tsitsipas its first brand ambassador, the Italian menswear tailoring brand has revealed the opening of its first branded restaurant in Hong Kong.
Dubbed Locanda Canali, the Italian word for inn, the dining space curated by chef Gianni Caprioli is located inside Harbour City Gateway Arcade, one of Hong Kong’s leading shopping destinations.
“The opening of Locanda Canali represents a strategic step in our lifestyle journey. This concept enhances our customer experience by integrating hospitality into our identity,” said Stefano Canali, president and chief executive officer of the brand.
“We believe strongly in the cultural vitality and economic relevance of Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area and are pleased to continue our development in this dynamic region,” he added.
The space is decked in soft and soothing tones, ranging from champagne-toned tapestry and wavy curtains on the walls to forest green upholstery on the wooden seats and banquettes. The checkerboard flooring is done in marble, a material reprised also in the tabletops and bar counter. Artworks and photographs hanging on the wall depict Milan landmarks.
Inside the Locanda Canali in Hong Kong.
Courtesy of Canali
Serving food from breakfast through dinner, the restaurant’s menu revisits Italian and Milanese cuisine with an international flair, building on Caprioli’s previous experiences across Italy, Europe and the U.S.
The unit is located next door to the existing Canali boutique in Hong Kong’s luxury shopping mall.
At a time of sluggish sales for luxury, hospitality is viewed as a strategic avenue to revive business, as customers increasingly pour their money into experiences rather than products.
Inside the Locanda Canali in Hong Kong.
Courtesy of Canali
Last month, the Canali CEO told WWD that despite the complex scenario the company is not skimping on investment. This month the brand will inaugurate a new store in Los Angeles, proving the centrality of the U.S., he said, while India and Italy remain solid markets.
Canali was founded in 1934 and, now in its third generation, it remains an independent family-run business that retains tailoring at the core, integrating technology into the artisanal process.