When Arinobu Fukuhara, the founder of Shiseido, traveled to New York in 1900 and brought back with him a soda fountain — the machine, the syrup, the glasses, even the straws — and set it up in the Shiseido Pharmacy in Ginza, little could he have imagined that he was establishing the company as the ultimate operator of chic eateries in Tokyo.
Today, Shiseido operates eight cafes and restaurants there, including a new rooftop restaurant in Harajuku overlooking the gardens of Meiji Shrine. The jewel in the crown is undoubtably L’Osier, the Michelin three-star French restaurant that will celebrate its 50th anniversary next year and has been overseen by chef Olivier Chaignon since 2013. (Faro, Shiseido’s Italian restaurant, earned one star.)
Chloe Cherry Celebrates Urban Decay Vice Lip Bond Liquid Lip Color Campaign
Eye Candy: Inside the 2022 Fragrance Foundation Awards
Housed in a building in central Ginza covered in golden camellia flowers, it seamlessly blends the best of both cultures. “This was one of the first French restaurants in Japan and is representative of the French art du vivre,” said Chaignon, during an early morning interview in the restaurant’s private dining salon, which seats just 10 people and features Aubusson tapestries by Sonia Delaunay and Lalique sculptures. The primary dining room can accommodate 34 guests, who book as early as three months out. Prices start at about 14,000 yen for a three-course lunch and rise to 50,000 yen (about $370 at current exchange) for four courses and two desserts, plus an amuse-bouche, sweet trolley and coffee or tea.
“There are many similarities between food and beauty,” Chaignon continued. “Cosmetics are for the beauty of people. Cuisine should make people happy, and when you are happy, you are beautiful.”
Today, it’s just after 8:30 a.m. and L’Osier’s cadre of 44 chefs are busy preparing the myriad elements that will go into the lunch and dinner services. Chaignon changes the menu about every six to eight weeks, depending on the seasons, but certain dishes — like Wild Black Abalone from China Cooked in its Shell with Sea Urchin, Vegetables and Smoked Eel with Sancho Leaves, and Green Saboyan with Abalone Liver — are so popular they have become signatures. It is served on a Limoges plate that Chaignon designed. Ditto the rolling dessert trolley, laden with handmade chocolates, caramels, marshmallows, nougat and like, which Chaignon redesigned early in his tenure, adding more layers to make it easier for diners to see the full array, as well as adding drawers that perfectly align with the table’s edge when open.
As luxe as it is, Chaignon is equally as focused on sustainability. He works with researchers and organizations around the world on various projects, including a female-founded tea-growing cooperative in Sri Lanka; a university in Cambodia that upcycles rice cracker waste to ultimately enhance poultry’s egg-producing capabilities, and a French researcher who linked a lactic bacteria found in olive trees in Okinawa, Japan, with one found in a grove near Alicante, Spain, which is thought to have a positive impact on longevity. Chaignon formulated a special olive oil that is used (and sold) only at L’Osier from its fruit.
He is as intent on innovating in the area of gastronomy as his counterparts in R&D are in skin care, meaning that while his domain may be quite different from Shiseido’s core business, his mission isn’t. “The ultimate aim is to give people something special,” said Chaignon. “Of course, people can’t see it. But I want to give them something special and something that is good for their health.”
Sign up for WWD's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
RSVP for "A Matter of Style", a Fairchild Archive exhibition September 9-10 in New York City.
Click here to read the full article.
The university will be housed in the group’s headquarters in Ginza, Tokyo.
Kate Somerville exfoliant rarely gets marked down, so grab it ASAP.
Score under-the-radar markdowns on a mega-popular mattress protector and fan-favorite air purifier.
"Whether someone is a size 16 or 26, they should be able to wear whatever they want and have access to it," says the plus-size model and designer.
Make every square inch of space count with these clever Bed Bath & Beyond buys from Casper and more.
“Both of their deaths really changed me forever,” the journalist says of losing his dad and brother.
The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model opens up about facing self doubt.
The "Red Table Talk" host, 50, has been open about living with alopecia.
Brigitte Nielsen opens up about raising a toddler at 59
You never knew you needed these gadgets — but you absolutely do.
Loved by over 14,000 reviewers, Baebody Eye Gel targets dark under-eye circles, puffiness and wrinkles.
The undisputed "queen of Coachella" is a big advocate of "divine timing" and in an interview with Nylon, the 33-year-old reflected on reaching success later in life, self-love and the supernatural.
Freshen up for fall: Not only do these products mask under-eye circles like champs, they brighten and reduce puffiness too.
Over 10,000 fans give these Apple alternatives five stars — and comfort ranks high on the list of reasons why.
Our Host Will Taylor is searching for spacious and light-filled 1-bedroom apartments with Juliya, who is making the move from Washington D.C. to New York City.
One user called it "the best buy of the decade." Grab this deal before all units are swept away.
On Thursday, the My Body author appeared on stage with Tory Burch at the 10th Annual Forbes Power Women's Summit, where she discussed gender equality. She explained, "I always say that sexism is bad for everyone, including men. I think toxic masculinity is a huge issue and we feel the ramifications of that, but also, men live with that as well. As somebody who has a son, I think about that a lot. It's, for me, very important to expand that conversation to men."
Shereé Whitfield finally delivered what the people wanted: SHE by Shereé! Gibson Johns interviews the original "Real Housewives of Atlanta" cast member about returning once again for Season 14, how her experience this season compared to her past stints on the show, which former Housewives she might want to see come back to the show next season, her thoughts on getting seated next to Andy Cohen at the reunion and more. They also talk extensively about her releasing SHE by Shereé into the world after 14 seasons, the critiques of her launch concerning price and similarities to clothing on SHEIN, the mental rollercoaster of trying to get the brand off the ground and more.
Anderson Cooper opens up about grieving the loss of his dad, brother while raising his own family
When he’s not cooking at his restaurant, "MasterChef" judge Aarón Sánchez craves NYC delights like pastrami sandwiches and white fish salad on a bagel.