SALI – ART DIRECTION for a high-rise experience in the heart of Milan.
The new rooftop Japanese Izakaya Kitchen & Bar located on the 7th floor of the Radisson Collection Hotel Santa Sofia in Milan is a cosmopolitan sanctuary curated by Alessandro Mario Cesario and Christian Brigliadoro (founders of Sequoia Group). Our agency curated the entire art direction of the project: from brand identity to visual storytelling, from content production for social/web to the design of printed materials like menus and drink lists. A seamless fusion of design, experience, and narration — East meets West, in the skyline of Milan.

Our creative approach.
The brief was clear: capture the essence of an urban Izakaya with soul, elegance, and a bold contemporary attitude. We shaped a creative direction that speaks fluently across all touchpoints:

🖋️ Visual Identity
We developed a coherent brand system blending Japanese minimalism and Milanese flair. Every graphic element was calibrated to resonate with the interior concept designed by MaisonP.
📸 Shooting & Video Reportage
We directed and produced a full content suite (photos and videos) showcasing the location’s ambiance, signature drinks, food rituals, and elevated atmosphere.
📜 Menu & Drink List Design
The drink and food menus were designed to be both tactile and visual experiences. Inspired by traditional Japanese formats, we crafted layouts that elevate each item to storytelling status, with textures and authentic paper choices aligned to the spatial identity.

FROM VISUAL TO SENSORIAL.
The language of the space needed to be visual, verbal, and emotional. We created a narrative system that extends across:
– Signature drinks like Hokkaido, Kansai, and Aomori, each introduced as a chapter of a story;
– Japanese-inspired sharing food visually styled to match the rooftop’s aesthetics;
– A coherent editorial voice for web, social, and on-premise materials.

This holistic approach allowed us to shape a consistent guest experience, from first click to final toast.

THE OUTCOME.
A rooftop venue that redefines hospitality through aesthetics, storytelling, and detail.
A visual journey between Tokyo’s intimacy and Milan’s skyline.

Every detail is intentional. Every touchpoint, part of the story.

Project

art direction

What We Did

all that is seen and not

Execution

2025