La Plage: Nostalgic Branding with Modern Sophistication

1950s beachside elegance inspires a captivating restaurant identity in Istanbul

Drawing from archival photographs and the carefree spirit of mid-century seaside leisure, La Plage’s brand identity invites guests into a world where nostalgia meets modern sophistication. The creative team at Studio Born meticulously crafted every detail, from whimsical illustrations to bold typography, resulting in a cohesive visual language that resonates across menus, uniforms, packaging, and signage. The design’s playful slogans, such as “Girls just wanna have sun” and “Sea la vie,” further enhance its approachable yet elegant personality.

What sets La Plage apart is its holistic approach to branding. The color palette—featuring terracotta, green, and gold—evokes sun-drenched afternoons and timeless luxury. Advanced printing techniques, including gold foil stamping, add tactile richness and visual depth, ensuring each touchpoint feels both premium and inviting. The logotype and custom font pairings balance warmth with sophistication, while hand-drawn illustrations, inspired by vintage photography, are digitized and refined to create a sense of movement and dimension throughout the space.

The realization of this brand identity involved extensive research into 1950s lifestyle imagery, with the design team extracting details from clothing, poses, and settings to inform the illustrations and graphics. Every element, from coasters to wall graphics, was thoughtfully designed to avoid repetition and maintain a sense of discovery. The result is a layered narrative that tells the story of seaside leisure and artistic expression, inviting guests to escape the ordinary with every visit.

Collaboration played a key role in the project’s success. Studio Born worked closely with Architag, the interior design team, to ensure that branding concepts seamlessly integrated with the restaurant’s physical environment. Attention to material selection, paper textures, and Pantone color matching further elevated the tactile experience, while rigorous oversight during the printing process ensured flawless application of gold foil accents.

La Plage’s branding project, completed over 2.5 months and launched in August 2024, quickly established the restaurant as a sought-after destination in Istanbul. The design’s ability to capture the essence of vintage beach culture while delivering a fresh, contemporary experience earned it the prestigious Golden A’ Design Award in 2025, recognizing its outstanding contribution to visual communication and lifestyle branding.

La Plage stands as a testament to the power of thoughtful design, where every visual and tactile element is carefully orchestrated to evoke sun-soaked leisure and timeless elegance, setting a new standard for restaurant branding in the modern era.