# Mimi Kakushi Brings Japanese Glamour to Miami Beach London-based firm Pirajean Lees blends 1920s Osaka aesthetics with Miami coastal luxury. - **Source:** [Design MilkInterior Design Ideas for Your Modern Home | Design Milk](https://brifing.si/source/1484120b-1655-4db8-bcd5-582962f690ac) - **Published:** 2026-10-29 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/3348092a-8aa3-4ad7-b8ca-03f7635bbe08 ## Strategic Location Selection Mimi Kakushi establishes its first U.S. outpost on the fourth floor of the Delano Miami hotel. This expansion follows the brand's successful Dubai location, maintaining a focus on high-end hospitality. The venue leverages the iconic Miami skyline, utilizing an indoor-outdoor layout to connect the restaurant directly with its coastal environment. ## Cinematic Interior Narrative Designers Clémence Pirajean and James Lees drew inspiration from the life of Japanese silent film actor Sessue Hayakawa. The interior design imagines his world as a traveler, blending 1920s Osaka glamour with old Hollywood aesthetics. This fictional narrative informs the material choices and the overall spatial arrangement of the restaurant. ## Curated Terrace Experience The terrace area is exclusively reserved for hotel guests and members of the Delano Members Club. Lush greenery and strategic screening divide the space into intimate zones, ensuring privacy while preserving ocean views. These areas accommodate diverse dining styles, ranging from casual social gatherings to formal, multi-course meal experiences. ## Interactive Culinary Theater Head chef Henry Park leads the kitchen, with an open sushi counter serving as the central focal point. This layout prioritizes transparency, allowing guests to observe the preparation process directly. A dedicated DJ station provides a continuous auditory backdrop, shifting the restaurant's energy from daytime service to evening atmosphere. ## Unconventional Beverage Presentation The bar departs from traditional printed menus by utilizing vintage View-Masters for drink selection. Patrons click through reels to view cocktails featuring botanicals and East Asian flavors. This tactile approach replaces standard paper lists, reinforcing the brand's commitment to theatricality and unique, memorable interactions within the high-end dining space. ## Materiality and Craftsmanship The interior palette utilizes warm browns and creams, accented by timber bead curtains and stained glass. Hand-painted landscapes and custom furniture pieces introduce traditional craftsmanship into the modern space. Fringed throw pillows and layered textures contribute to the cinematic atmosphere, reflecting the design firm's focus on period-inspired, detailed environments. ## Dynamic Environmental Lighting Sunlight filters through the venue's architectural elements, casting shifting patterns across the dining room throughout the day. This interaction between natural light and the layered materials ensures the atmosphere evolves from morning to night. The design successfully balances the theatricality of its cinematic inspiration with the natural Miami Beach light. ## Brand Expansion Impact The Miami launch represents a significant step in Mimi Kakushi's international growth strategy. By combining specific cultural narratives with luxury hospitality, the brand differentiates itself in the competitive Miami market. The project demonstrates how thematic design can create a cohesive, immersive experience that resonates with both local and international patrons. ## Sources covering this story - https://design-milk.com/mimi-kakushi-delano-miami-pirajean-lees/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._