Italian luxury fashion house Prada opened its first standalone dining space in Asia — Mi Shanghai Prada Rong Zhai — in Shanghai's Jing'an district on March 28.

Designed by renowned arthouse director Wong Kar Wai, the venue blends aesthetics, history, culture and gastronomy in an innovative and immersive experience.

Wong infused the space with his signature cinematic storytelling, drawing inspiration from the tête-bêche concept in philately — or in English, "head to tail" — where two stamps are placed alongside each other within a stamp sheet, in a mirrored, inverted position.

The artistic vision is reflected throughout the design, integrating Prada's timeless elegance with the historical heritage of Rong Zhai.

The decor features a curated selection from Prada's extensive art collection, interwoven with exquisite Chinese antique furniture. This creates a striking visual dialogue between Milan and Shanghai's cultural legacies, reinforcing a refined and sophisticated atmosphere.

A highlight of the space is The Rising Clouds, Blooming Flower — a series of woodblock prints co-created by Wong Kar Wai and Duo Yun Xuan, an art institution dedicated to the purchasing, distribution, publishing and collection of artworks including calligraphy and paintings.

Inspired by Wong's latest TV series Blossoms Shanghai, the series presents five specially colored prints, one of which has been acquired by the Prada Group as part of its permanent collection.

Redefining the dining experience, Mi Shanghai Prada Rong Zhai offers a refined menu from brunch to dinner, combining Italian and Chinese flavors in a creative culinary journey.

The dishes are crafted by Lorenzo Lunghi, executive chef of Ristorante Torre, who has honed his skills at Michelin-starred restaurants such as Ristorante Gambero Rosso and Saturne. Desserts are curated by Diego Crosara, a world pastry champion and former head pastry chef of the Italian national culinary team.

Beyond gastronomy, Prada Rong Zhai is envisioned as a cultural hub, hosting two annual art exhibitions and various cultural events to foster cross-disciplinary dialogue in urban life.

Address: No 186 North Shanxi Road, Jing'an district

Business hours: 10 am to 10 pm

Source: Official WeChat account of Shanghai Jing'an Media Center at "jaxwzx"