Café Amici: A Taste of Italy in La Lucia Mall

When Biaggo Pelliccia, owner of Sunsets & Mermaids Restaurant on Chartwell Drive in Umhlanga, approached me to reimagine the branding for his Italian café in La Lucia Mall, I was thrilled. Having admired Café Amici over the years, I often found myself imagining what I could do with it—and this project gave me the chance to bring those ideas to life.

A Lifelong Passion for Café Design
Cafés hold a special place in my heart. My journey as a designer began with a restaurant project—my first-ever freelance job at the age of 24 was for the iconic Legends Café in Musgrave Centre. Since then, I’ve worked with numerous beloved local cafés, including Arts Café, Glenwood Bakery, Alchemy Kitchen, Bentley & Co, Java Café, and Two Acres. My love for the café culture, combined with countless hours spent in them, naturally fuels my creativity when designing for these spaces.

Bringing Café Amici to Life
Working with Biaggo on Café Amici was an absolute pleasure. For this project, I developed a cohesive brand identity that reflects the café’s authentic Italian heritage. This included:

• A new logo that captures the essence of Italy’s timeless charm.

• Signage to draw customers in and create a sense of place.

• Menus that are as visually appetising as the café’s offerings.

• Packaging and branded materials, including postcards, adverts, and gift vouchers, to enhance the customer experience and promote the café’s identity.

Inspired by Italy
As someone who adores Italian culture, cuisine, and design, this project was particularly meaningful to me. Café Amici's traditional theme and authentic Italian fare were a perfect match for my creative vision. I aimed to infuse every element of the branding with the warmth and character of Italy, creating a space that invites patrons to savour not just the food but the atmosphere as well.

A Shared Love for Craftsmanship
Café Amici is more than a branding project—it’s a reflection of shared passions: Biaggo’s dedication to authentic Italian dining and my deep appreciation for creating meaningful, beautiful design.