Gucci has become the latest fashion powerhouse to bring its brand into the restaurant business, opening 1921 Gucci in Shanghai, China.

The chic new eatery, which can only be accessed via an elevator inside the Gucci Shanghai boutique, follows in the footsteps of Armani's Fifth Avenue restaurant in New York City and Ralph Lauren's Polo Bar, as fashion giants seek to harness their brand power in new markets.

Although Gucci already has cafes in Florence and Tokyo, the Shanghai site is thought to be the company’s first full-service restaurant. Named after the year of the iconic label’s inception, 1921 Gucci is located on the fourth floor of the IAPM luxury shopping mall on Huaihai Lu.

The restaurant, which reportedly took two years to complete, is adorned with dark wood, gold surfaces and velvet furnishings, while silverware, napkins, and menus all bear the brand of the famous fashion house.

Paying further homage to Gucci’s heritage, the menu features a range of mostly Italian fare, with standout dishes including the grilled calamari with tomato carpaccio and the grilled red snapper fillet. Lunch is reported to cost around 150RMB (US$23.4, €21, £15) per person, while dinner is around 300RMB (US$46.8, €42, £30).

Details of the restaurant’s design are scarce at this stage, however CLAD has contacted Gucci representatives for further information.