Fashion Cafe

Fashion Cafe was an international restaurant chain that was based in New York City that featured celebrity models and had locations in the United States, United Kingdom, South Africa, Mexico, and Spain. Francesco Buti and Tommaso Buti founded the restaurant in 1995, the business was initially fronted by super models Naomi Campbell, Elle Macpherson, Claudia Schiffer, and Christy Turlington.[1] The Associated Press called the chain "a couture version of Planet Hollywood and the Hard Rock Cafe."[2]

Fashion Cafe
TypePrivate
IndustryRestaurant
Founded1995 (1995) in New York City
Founders
  • Francesco Buti
  • Tommaso Buti
Headquarters
New York City, New York (state)
,
United States
Number of locations
5
Areas served
United States, United Kingdom, South Africa, Mexico, Spain
Key people
Owners
  • Francesco Buti
  • Tommaso Buti

History

The chain first opened in Rockefeller Center, New York City in 1995.[3] On Monday May 6, 1996, construction began on the London branch of the chain, though the London branch went bust in 1999, a year after it opened.[1] The London and New York locations became the primary locations of Fashion Cafe. The Fashion Café’s grand opening was the highlight of that season’s fashion week. Gianni and Donatella Versace, Tyra Banks, Veronica Webb, Beverly Peele, and Eileen Ford were all there with Stephen Baldwin, David Copperfield, the Wayans brothers, Jon Stewart, Matt Lauer, RuPaul, and Molly Ringwald.[4]

The Rockefeller Center Fashion Cafe closed in 1998.

Criticized for its management of the restaurant chain, Tommaso Buti was finally granted a full pardon by President Donald Trump on 19 January 2021 before being tried on any charges.[5]

Specifications

The Fashion Cafe’s facade was shiny and merchandised, resembled more of a souvenir gift shop than an eatery with a large steel nameplate and passerby-friendly glass window panes.[6]

References
  1. "Fashion Cafe, Planet Hollywood square off". Spartanburg Herald-Journal. May 8, 1996. p. A2. Retrieved July 5, 2011 – via Google Books.
  2. "Trendy celebrity crowd packs opening of chic Fashion Cafe". Bangor Daily News. Associated Press. April 10, 1995. p. C6. Retrieved July 5, 2011 – via Google Books.
  3. Saulny, Susan (December 12, 2000). "Businessmen Who Created Fashion Cafe Are Hit With Fraud Charges". The New York Times. Retrieved July 5, 2011.
  4. "Remembering the Bizarre History of New York's Fashion Café". WM Magazine. April 30, 2020. Retrieved June 23, 2011.
  5. "Pardons Granted by President Donald J. Trump (2017-2021)". www.justice.gov. August 28, 2017.
  6. "A historical look at the Fashion Cafe". CR Fashion Book. June 20, 2018. Retrieved June 23, 2011.
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