Sexy Fish: Art by Damien Hirst and Frank Gehry decorates lavish London restaurant
by Kim Megson | 25 Jan 2016
The worlds of architecture, art and fashion have collided at Sexy Fish, a lavish new Asian seafood restaurant in London opened by British restaurant magnate Richard Caring.
Aquatic-themed artworks by Damien Hirst, architect Frank Gehry and Vanity Fair style editor Michael Roberts decorate the extravagant interiors, which have been designed by Martin Brudnizki Design Studio to emulate “the style and sophistication of a mid-century brasserie.”
The eye-catching collection of art – which includes a pair of bronze mermaids by Hirst and a 13ft Gehry-designed mirrored crocodile hanging on the wall – is believed to be one of the most expensive collections created for a restaurant in the city.
Located in Mayfair’s Berkeley Square in an old banking hall, Sexy Fish can hold 190 diners.
Brudnizki has filled the space with an Esmeralda onyx floor, raspberry leather benches, an internal water-wall and a fabric-panelled ceiling mural created by Roberts. A red stone counter runs along the restaurant bar, with 20 Gehry-designed fish lamp sculptures suspended above.
A private dining space called The Coral Reef Room located on the lower ground floor houses two live coral reef tanks.
“Sexy Fish’s contemporary interior is imaginatively brought to life with the installations,” said Brudnizki in a statement. “Guests are submerged into a restaurant interior like nothing London has seen before.”
According to reports, the restaurant – which is operated by Caring’s Caprice Holdings company – cost an estimated £15m (US$21.3m, €19.7m) to create.
Since opening late last year with a Mermaid-themed publicity campaign led by singer Rita Ora, Sexy Fish has become a hotspot for celebrities and politicians, including Kate Moss, Lindsay Lohan and British prime minister David Cameron.
Sexy Fish is the latest addition to Caring’s growing portfolio of exclusive bars and restaurants. His other London establishments include The Ivy, J Sheekey and Rivington.
Sexy Fish Damien Hirst London Richard Caring Frank gehry
Frank Gehry's crocodile sculpture Credit: Sexy Fish
The ceiling mural was created by Vanity Fair style editor Michael Roberts Credit: Sexy Fish
The interiors were designed by Martin Brudnizki Design Studio Credit: Sexy Fish
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The worlds of architecture, art and fashion have collided at Sexy Fish, a lavish new Asian seafood restaurant in London opened by British restaurant magnate Richard Caring. Aquatic-themed artworks by Damien Hirst, architect Frank Gehry and Vanity Fair style editor Michael Roberts decorate the extravagant interiors, which have been designed by Martin Brudnizki Design Studio to emulate “the style and sophistication of a mid-century brasserie.” The eye-catching collection of art
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