From the moment that Armani launched its namesake cafe in Paris in 1998 (followed by Milan two years later), the relationship between fashion and dining would never be the same. Since then Dior, Kitsuné, Versace, Tiffany, and even Gucci have bridged the fashion / hospitality divide, to varying degrees of success. (We’ve long dreamed of kicking back at an Imitation of Christ cocktail bar.)
Now, a long history of LA anglophilia has practically begged for a Vivienne Westwood themed nightclub on Santa Monica, or perhaps an Alexander McQueen cafe on some poshie stretch of N. Robertson. But in fact it’s the buzzy German design brand Marcell Von Berlin that has gone and opened the most fashionable all-day place to gather in La La Land right now, specifically at 8619 Melrose Avenue, attached to their first US boutique, which debuted in 2018.
Of course based in the German capital that lends it its name, MVB was founded by designer Marcel Pustul in 2012, delivering ready to wear men’s and women’s collections every season since – with couture pieces made to order. A head-spinning list of celebs has since fallen for his designs, including Lady Gaga, Rita Ora, J-Lo, Troye Sivan, Dita Von Teese, DJ Zedd, Robbie Williams and even Madonna, who are drawn to the craftsmanship, attention-grabbing silhouettes and bold, distinctive prints.
The Marcell Von Berlin Coffee Lounge‘s design echoes that stylistic manifesto, while also embracing the laidback lifestyle that is such a feature of daily existence in Los Angeles. So an inside space, with its matte black furnishings, distressed charcoal walls and neon MVB logo, could be the interior of a Berlin Mitte nightclub. But a verdant patio sporting wicker chairs and shady palm fronds, is pure Southern Cali.
“I’ve always seen our flagship stores as a place to meet,” Pustul explains of the inspiration, “so it wasn’t at all far-fetched to open a café for just that. Our philosophy is to create a place for Marcel Von Berlin customers where they can feel at home – a space to hang out, have meetings or private events and do so while sipping delicious coffee creations. Because let’s face it, who doesn’t need a little caffeine booster during the day?”
Delicious creations indeed, the coffee served is made from the house’s own roasted, organic Arabic beans, with medium and dark roasts and, speaking to trends, CBD and mushroom infusions. There are also fresh baked goods, quiches, ginger chai lattes and specialty teas – while the shop stocks cookbooks, as well as organic spices and snacks. “The style aspires to provide experiential luxury,” Pustul concludes, “more than an average coffee shop.”
To say the least.
