For stylish travelers with a soft spot for elegance and artistry, Europe continues to enchant—not only with its storied history and iconic landmarks but with design-led spaces that surprise and seduce. Two new openings in Italy tap into a particularly refined aesthetic—equal parts modern and romantic—resonating with discerning Asian visitors who appreciate hospitality that speaks to both luxury and imagination. Whether you’re in Rome for a long weekend or Milan for design week, these new launches promise more than just beauty—they offer experiences.
Aquazzura Bar: A Roman Jewel Wrapped in Florals and Fantasy
Tucked inside Hotel de Russie’s iconic Secret Garden in Rome, the new Aquazzura Bar is a whimsical nod to La Dolce Vita with a fashion-forward twist. The space marks Aquazzura’s first foray into hospitality, and it’s a match made in Mediterranean heaven: timeless Italian elegance meets playful, modern luxury.
Founded by Colombian-Florentine designer Edgardo Osorio, Aquazzura is beloved across Asia for its bold footwear and standout color stories. Now, Osorio brings his signature flair to interiors. Inspired by the Aquazzura Casa “Secret Garden” collection, the bar is an immersive extension of the brand’s aesthetic universe—lush, vibrant, and unapologetically glamorous.
At the heart of the space is a storytelling moment: dual-patterned awnings reveal a visual flip from signature black-and-white stripes to a blooming interior of birds, butterflies, and botanical motifs. Think garden tea party meets Italian aperitivo, with just enough fantasy to feel cinematic.
Tiles hand-painted in Portugal with lemon patterns anchor the bar in Mediterranean warmth, while trellised greenery and striped planters echo Italy’s nostalgic charm. The furnishings, designed by Casa do Passadiço, blend classic wrought iron lines with tufted comfort, beckoning guests to linger.
The cocktail menu, masterminded by Federico Pavan and brought to life by Matteo Capezzuoli, is where things get truly personal. A rotating frozen margarita, inspired by Osorio’s love for tequila, brings freshness with seasonal fruits. The “Agave Nero”—a daring tequila Espresso Martini—is both dark and dreamy. Every drink is served in Aquazzura Casa porcelain, with tapas by celebrated chef Fulvio Pierangelini making the moment a true Italian-Asian fusion of sensory delight: refined, photogenic, and meant to be shared.
This is more than a bar. It’s a feeling. And feelings linger longer than any trend. For Asian travelers who prize experience over excess, this is where fantasy becomes memory—just steps from Piazza di Spagna, yet entirely hidden from the bustle.
Elie Saab Maison: Sculptural Serenity in Milan
Meanwhile, in Milan, ELIE SAAB Maison unveils its newly relocated flagship showroom at Via Pietro Mascagni 2—a bold move timed with Milano Design Week 2025. Known across Asia for its couture fantasy and red-carpet radiance, the ELIE SAAB brand continues to evolve into a full lifestyle experience—and this new space embodies the designer’s dreamscape in three dimensions.
Far from a traditional showroom, the flagship feels like stepping into a sculpted reverie. Walls curve with architectural precision, light pours through sculptural fixtures, and every detail—from velvet seating to statement chandeliers—carries the signature ELIE SAAB codes: romanticism, structure and softness in balance.
This move signals a new chapter, not just for the brand, but for how fashion is experienced in space. “We’re no longer just creating products,” says a brand representative from ELIE SAAB. “We’re creating worlds.” It’s an idea that resonates deeply in Asian markets, where lifestyle branding has long outpaced Western markets in merging fashion, design, and hospitality into seamless narratives.
The new Milan flagship is more than a showroom—it’s a sanctuary for aesthetes. Whether you’re scouting for interiors inspiration or simply seeking a moment of calm elegance during the chaos of design week, ELIE SAAB Maison invites you into a space where beauty is both immersive and intentional.
What unites these two Italian moments—Rome’s hidden garden bar and Milan’s sculptural flagship—is an unwavering attention to detail and the pursuit of beauty not as decoration, but as experience. For the Asian tastemaker who values global sophistication grounded in local storytelling, both Aquazzura and ELIE SAAB Maison offer something special: spaces that don’t just dazzle, but welcome.
As travel trends shift toward slower, more intentional journeys, these editor-approved picks reflect a new era of design-led destinations—where fashion steps off the runway and into real life, one perfect touch at a time.
Featured image: Aquazzura Bar
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