illy opened its second standalone store in the UK this month and Richmond & Towers was briefed to officially mark its opening in a manner befitting illy’s inimitably sophisticated style.

Leveraging our celebrity, influencer and media contacts, we hosted an evening for guests that spotlighted illy’s unparalleled connections with the world of art and design, as well as communicating the coffee roaster’s obsession with quality.

Part of this included running coffee cocktail masterclasses with illy’s UK head of quality, Marco Arrigo throughout the evening. Arrigo talked to guests about illy’s uniquely premium blend, and also paid homage to fabled bartender Dick Bradsell, who was known for inventing the Espresso Martini for Kate Moss using illy coffee.

Guests, including Lucy Watson and boyfriend, James Dunmore, TV presenter AJ Odudu and socialite Roxie Nafousi, also enjoyed prosecco, Franciacorta and Italian canapés made from the finest regional ingredients.

Dishes included black focaccia with burrata, wild salmon and dill, ravioli with pumpkin and sage, and beignets filled with pistachios from Bronte, made by world-class pastry chef, Luigi Biasetto.

To cement the messaging being communicated by attendees on social media, as well as via a film we produced on the night for illy’s owned channels, we also set up an interview for illy’s new CEO, Massimiliano Pogliani, with Monocle 24. The opportunity was designed to ensure that Mr Pogliani was able to discuss illy’s new South Kensington offering with presenter Danny Giacopelli immediately prior to attending the event.

Commenting on the launch, illy’s new CEO, Massimiliano Pogliani, said: “illy believes that, combined with its obsessive pursuit of the highest possible quality coffee beans, its passion for art and culture enhances someone’s sensory enjoyment of their favourite illy drink.

“illy South Kensington has been painstakingly designed to embody illy’s values, from its illy Art Collection cups chandelier, to its 1930s illy advertising poster replica. We are certain we will soon become an intrinsic part of local life.”

illy South Kensington is located at 23 Old Brompton Road, London SW7 3HZ.