Supervision and Production of Loungewear for Auberge “L’évo” in Toga Village, Toyama
L’évo – A Hidden Gem for Gourmet Travelers, an Auberge to Savor the Essence of Toyama
Tucked away in Toyama’s Toga Village, where traditional landscapes and untouched nature still remain, stands a solitary auberge that evokes the memory of the settlements that once graced this land.
Its name is L’évo. A celebrated culinary destination, L’évo was awarded two Michelin stars in the Michelin Guide Hokuriku 2021, and more recently became the first restaurant from Toyama Prefecture to be featured in Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants—a testament to its rising global acclaim.
Surrounded by ever-changing natural beauty, guests at L’évo are invited to experience a form of avant-garde regional cuisine that can be found nowhere else. Each dish is a singular expression of the land, created by owner and chef Eiji Taniguchi, who transforms ingredients like meticulously cultivated vegetables and locally sourced game into extraordinary culinary works through a spirit of boundless creativity.
But Chef Taniguchi’s devotion extends far beyond the kitchen. From the plates that frame each dish to the interiors that shape the dining experience, every detail at L’évo reflects an unwavering pursuit of perfection.
For Chef Taniguchi, L’évo is not merely a restaurant—it is the embodiment of his vision, brought fully to life.
A one-of-a-kind, soul-enriching moment amidst the timeless beauty of Japan’s rural landscape — accompanied by loungewear worthy of the experience.
Nestled in a serene valley, the L’évo property is home to just three exclusive guest cottages, available to only a few guests each day. For these special guests, we created bespoke loungewear designed to enhance their stay.
The journey began in the summer of last year, when we were first approached about creating loungewear for L’évo. Soon after receiving the inquiry, Foo Tokyo’s founder and designer, Kuwabara, visited L’évo with several team members.
From the ever-shifting scenery that transforms throughout the day to the avant-garde cuisine crafted with an abundance of local ingredients—every moment at L’évo offers a truly singular experience that cannot be found elsewhere.
With this in mind, we set out to design evolved loungewear that would be worthy of such a remarkable stay.
And so began the creation of L’évo’s original loungewear.
Details
Design 1: An Elegant Double-Breasted Silhouette
What struck our designer during the visit to L’évo was a profound sense of reverence for nature. Surrounded by untouched wilderness, they described feeling a quiet, humbling tension—as if standing before something sacred.
This inspired the choice of a double-breasted loungewear design: elegant, yet relaxing. A garment that feels at ease, yet never out of place—even in the presence of majestic nature.
Design 2: A Blue-Grey Inspired by the Clarity of Dawn
One of the central themes in creating loungewear for L’évo was harmony with nature. Drawing inspiration from the architecture of L’évo itself—particularly its roofs, which seem to blend seamlessly into the surrounding landscape—we chose to infuse natural tones into the fabric palette.
The final selection was a clear blue-grey, reminiscent of the early dawn sky. Since loungewear is often worn during the quiet hours from evening into morning, we selected a shade that gently echoes the serenity of those in-between moments.
Design 3: A Soothing Touch That Warms the Body — Featuring Softly Brushed Fabric
L’évo is nestled in Toga Village, Toyama—a region embraced by nature, where sunlight is limited and winters bring heavy snowfall. To suit the unique climate of this land, we proposed a fabric specially developed for warmth and comfort.
In pursuit of a sensation so gentle it heals simply by being worn, we created an original fabric blended from premium Suvin cotton and DCH cotton. Compared to the Royal Organic Cotton used in our current double-breasted pajamas, this fabric offers a more substantial weight for added warmth.
To further enhance its insulating properties, the outer surface has been softly brushed, creating a texture that is both cozy and luxurious. We hope wearers will be able to fully enjoy the beauty of the shifting seasons while wrapped in exceptional comfort.
Design 4: Laser-Etched Logo Buttons for a Refined Finish
As a tribute to L’évo’s avant-garde spirit and its commitment to constant innovation, we too wanted to take on a new challenge. That led us to experiment with something we had never tried before—laser-etching our logo onto the buttons.
The result: original shell-style buttons with a silver rim and a clean, logo-only laser finish—no inlay or coloring. This marked a first for Foo Tokyo, and we were proud to take this step in dedication to L’évo.
By incorporating these custom laser-etched buttons, the loungewear achieves a heightened level of refinement and elegance in its detail.
President’s Message
Eiji Taniguchi, Owner-Chef of L’évo
L’évo is One Team.
The ingredients we use, the plates on which we serve them, the interiors that shape the atmosphere, and the amenities that welcome our guests—every element that makes up our auberge is carefully crafted by human hands with intention and care.
I believe in engaging closely with producers and artisans, sharing conversations that allow us to understand each other’s values. It is through these exchanges that I aim to reflect their spirit in our cuisine and space.
This time, we were honored to welcome Foo Tokyo as a new member of Team L’évo. Moved by their concept and dedication to craftsmanship, I asked them to create our loungewear—trusting they would capture the essence of who we are.
The result exceeded all expectations. I can’t wait to introduce it to our guests.
When you visit L’évo, I hope you will feel the very soul of Toyama on your skin. And I invite you to fully indulge in our dishes and carefully curated experiences.
Because when something is made with true heart, I believe it will always reach yours.
Masaaki Kuwabara, Founder and Designer of Foo Tokyo
When I received a request from L’évo—a hidden gem of the culinary world that I had long admired—I was truly honored. I immediately hoped to create an original piece of loungewear that would embody the essence of L’évo. I still remember feeling a sense of nostalgic familiarity during my first visit to the site.
I was born and raised in Gifu, a neighboring prefecture of Toyama, surrounded by mountains. Perhaps that’s why I felt compelled to design something that would naturally belong in such a landscape.
The result is a piece of loungewear crafted with an uncompromising attention to detail—something I take great pride in, and something that can only be experienced by those who visit L’évo.
I sincerely hope you’ll take the opportunity to visit. There, you’ll discover exquisite cuisine and the rare luxury of doing nothing, enveloped in the serenity of Toyama’s natural beauty.
L’évo Official Website ▼
https://levo.toyama.jp/