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Tristan at the opening. -
The Louis. -
With its upper levels resembling historic trunks, The Louis stands out amid the surrounding buildings in Shanghai’s CBD. -
Inside, Tristan du Plessis’s design of Le Café Louis Vuitton harks back to the golden era of stylish ocean voyages. The Louis also features Japanese architect Shohei Shigematsu’s exhibition of trunks -
Inside, Tristan du Plessis’s design of Le Café Louis Vuitton harks back to the golden era of stylish ocean voyages. The Louis also features Japanese architect Shohei Shigematsu’s exhibition of trunks -
Inside, Tristan du Plessis’s design of Le Café Louis Vuitton harks back to the golden era of stylish ocean voyages. The Louis also features Japanese architect Shohei Shigematsu’s exhibition of trunks -
Inside, Tristan du Plessis’s design of Le Café Louis Vuitton harks back to the golden era of stylish ocean voyages. The Louis also features Japanese architect Shohei Shigematsu’s exhibition of trunks
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.
WORDS Steve Smith PHOTOS Supplied
Taking as its inspiration Louis Vuitton’s 19th-century travelling trunks and Shanghai’s port status as the “Gateway to the East”, The Louis is the French luxury brand’s ship-shaped retail store, café and experiential exhibition space. Located on the third floor, Le Café Louis Vuitton offers its well-heeled customers bar seating, casual seating and various table arrangements. 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, off ering 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.”
Walk us through the aesthetic language you crafted for the space.
“Guided by the team at Louis Vuitton, the design approach centred on creating a layered, sophisticated environment – one that reveals itself through materiality and texture rather than being focused on features. It was a more mature and restrained direction, and a welcome creative challenge. The design language is nuanced and elegant, with a subtle play on tonality, texture and the layering of detail. With a directive to use only the best finishes, materials and furniture, the result is a space that doesn’t just look luxurious but truly feels it, allowing the culinary experience to take centre stage.”
How did you approach this café as a social and sensory experience, not just a design statement?
“Above all, this space was designed to evoke atmosphere – to be felt more than merely seen. In fact, there’s a striking contrast between how the space feels in person and how it appears in photos. The design is anchored in shared experiences, from a curated library of books to a vinyl listening station that invites discovery. It’s a place meant not just to be admired, but to be inhabited, to elevate sociability and celebrate connection. Our hope was that guests might tilt their chin slightly upwards, as if transported to the golden age of travel.”
Is there a particular design detail in the café that feels like a personal signature – something unmistakably “Tristan du Plessis”?
“I think the balance between classic undertones and a contemporary sensibility has become something of a signature in my work. One of my very favourite moments in the space is the DJ booth – a playful installation crafted from a stacked formation of Louis Vuitton trunks.”
Designing for a brand like Louis Vuitton must come with enormous expectations. How did you navigate the creative pressures that come with such a commission?
“The real challenge was capturing the essence of Louis Vuitton without relying on overt branding or design gestures. There was an unspoken pressure to ensure the space felt unmistakably Louis Vuitton, while remaining understated and refined. For me, it’s oft en more instinctive to design around bold, defining moments – here, the significance had to emerge from the cumulative impact of subtle, high-quality design decisions. That quiet restraint became the project’s most powerful expression.”
What did this project mean to you?
“As a South African designer, the opportunity to create a space for the world’s leading luxury brand was deeply meaningful – a true honour, both professionally and personally. It marked a moment of growth for me; a chance to refine my design thinking, practise restraint and mature within the context of such an iconic brand. Collaborating with an exceptionally sophisticated client team and working alongside some of the finest craftsmen in the world made the experience unforgettable.” tristanduplessis.com | louisvuitton.com
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