CAFE ZAFFRI : Branding & Art Direction

The identity for Café Zaffri draws inspiration from the Victorian tradition of the Lover’s Eye—tiny painted portraits of a beloved’s gaze worn as jewelry, intimate yet anonymous. This idea of the glance became a touchstone for the brand, evoking desire, intrigue, and the subtle theater of being seen. The primary mark pairs a delicate European-style script for “Café” with a bold, modern “Zaffri,” creating a dialogue between old-world romance and contemporary New York sophistication. Designed at Post Company.

2025 : New York City

White menu or flyer with red text for Cafe Zaffri, located at 16 E. 16th Street, New York, NY 10003, placed on a red background.
A table setting with a decorative plate containing a triangular slice of layered cake, a cup of coffee on a saucer, a glass of beverage, a red gift box, a red tassel, and gold-handled silverware on a pink tablecloth.
Drawing of a historic multi-story brick building with an American flag on top, featuring arched windows and a decorated entrance. Text at the bottom indicates it is the Margaret Louisa Home, located at 14 & 16 East 16th Street, associated with the Young Women's Christian Association.
A close-up painting of a hand with a large ring around the middle finger, which features an eye. The hand has a tattooed wrist with black floral patterns, and the background is red.
Elegant menu or invitation card for Cafe Zaffri at The Twenty Two, 16 E 16th Street, New York City, featuring a floral background with pink and brown flowers.
Sketch of a logo design featuring a stylized letter "Z" within an oval shape.
Brochure or menu cover for Cafe Zaffri, featuring black-and-white photos of two women with short hair, with red text reading 'Cafe Zaffri,' 'House of Art,' and 'Fine Dining'.
A person wearing a black glove holding a white card with red text that reads 'ZAF'S', with a black box and a red ribbon on a brown textured surface.
Intimate dining area with a pink tablecloth-covered round table, a small lamp, and a curved velvet banquette, set against a wall with floral wallpaper, framed artwork, and large potted plants.
Coffee creamer packet with a red oval label reading "cafe Zaffri" and a red lipstick kiss mark.