Responding to the change in seasons, a new retail experience has opened up in the back streets of Surry Hills. Known to locals and Instagram-savvy visitors, Artificer coffee have been quietly sourcing, roasting and brewing coffee out of a long window on Phelps Street. Now, and until December 21, the boutique French fashion house Maison Kitsuné have stopped by for summer, courtesy of Incu and a few friends.

Showcasing the Café Kitsuné collection of ready to wear garments, homewares and accessories, all in pale cream tones, according to co-founder of Artificer Dan Yee, the range “just slips in.”

With its singular focus on good coffee, and doing it well, Artificer have been joined in this time-limited venture by a handful of outfits who share a similar approach. For baked goods, Chippendale favourite Brickfields have been brought in, and sweet duties are shared between Black Star and Messina. Each are taking along with them some signature dishes, Black Star’s watermelon cake makes an appearance, as does the black sesame and coconut cookie by Brickfields. However, there are also a few unique offerings here, such as the Kitsuné shortbread fox and ginger ninja by Blackstar and a green tea-ramisu by Messina.

Bringing it all together are the people of Incu, who luckily, are not too far away.

“Their office is literally down the road, like a few blocks away,” noted Yee. This proximity has led to paths crossing before, and so when the idea came for a showcase of the Café Kitsuné collection, launched earlier this year in Paris, Tokyo and Seoul, it was the perfect match for Artificer.

“[They] just threw the idea out to us and must've caught us at a good time and we were like ‘Yeah, why not?’”

There’s not much to say no to here. Just like the label’s signature tricolour fox, the items here on display are deftly designed and speak to their origins in Paris and Tokyo, where Café Kitsuné has permanent venues. The garments are simple, with only one colour, but well made, combining Parisian elegance with Japanese craftsmanship.

Now coming to Artificer, the collaboration is something that has really been there all along. According to Yee, “when we set up Artificer it just lent itself to doing coffee and something [else].”

Combining coffee by Artificer and other offerings by those that do them best, the collaboration speaks to the philosophy that Yee has taken in approaching potential combinations.

“We're pretty keen on everyone doing what they do very well, but in the same place.”

Having visited the Tokyo location of Café Kitsuné, open since 2013, for Yee having the collection on display in Artificer was a way to continue the good work of the café, with a bit of seasonal variety.

“It's just fun, otherwise you get bored doing the same thing. But the [Café Kitsuné] shops are really nice, they're tight on their brand and they do what they do well.”

Café Kitsuné x Incu pop-up at Artificer

547 Bourke Street, Surry Hills
November 28 – December 21
Tues – Fri, 7am – 3pm
Sat – Sun, 8am – 1pm