A stiff black cover, ivory color paper, rounded corners, ribbon bookmark, elastic closure, and expandable inner pocket. This is the classic Moleskine notebook, inseparable companion of artists such as Oscar Wilde, Vincent van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Ernest Hemingway, and Henri Matisse. For the first time the Moleskine name appeared on the Bruce Chatwin’s masterpiece “The Songlines”, the travel journals that the great writer-traveler bought in a small stationery shop in Rue de l’Ancienne Comedie in Paris, designed by his indications. Before every trip he was used to buy a dozen.
Once the production of notebooks ceased after the closure of the Parisian stationery, A company from Milan took over the brand to revive the legendary notebook. The company, meanwhile renamed Moleskine SPA, today is a well known brand in the world that is identified in the production of notebooks, journals, diaries, bags, writing items and much more. Its promotional campaign and communication campaign became a model and this summer Moleskine has decided to invest on the first café-restaurant in Milan, the Moleskine Cafe.
Photo: www.comunicaffe.it
After first opening this winter at the airport in Geneva, and to follow another in Montreal this summer Moleskine has chosen; perhaps necessary, as the company resides in Milan. Opened July 23, 2016 in Corso Garibaldi in the heart of the Brera Design District, apparently the Moleskine Café is a literary cafe but it is also a bit an art gallery, a little shop and a little library with a cutting edge design.
Photo: milano.corriere.it
The space is spread over 2 levels, with even an outside veranda. On the ground floor there is a café-bar, where the tasting coffee you can browse for the space dedicated to exhibitions and the space used for the sale of the brand’s products. Sketches, notes and drawings by architects, artists and designers are the starting point of a series of temporary exhibitions that makes the Moleskine Cafè a new exhibition space for the city.
Photo: www.whynotmag.com
The direction had decided to reserve a important role about the caffe; by partnering with Sevengrams roasting, the bar offers various blends of espresso, and a ‘good range of filtered coffee. the blend is sold in “branded” packaging and accompanied with illustrations and quotes from authors. Also interesting is the mezzanine area, furnished by a nice sofa, the curators wanted it as a place intended for relaxation, reading and conversation. Moleskin café design concept was developed in collaboration with Interbrand, a consulting company in the field of design.
The Moleskine Cafe is an ideal venue for lunches and dinners; it offers a good choice of gourmet sandwiches, pasta and special dishes. The restaurant also organizes a special branch, which is very popular in this Milan’s district, with Italian specialties, american and vegetarian. Moleskine Café aims to become a local landmark, and we are sure, the goal will be reached shortly.