Queen of punk offers tea and scones

At Vivienne Westwood's first-ever cafe in Shanghai, the bittersweet coffee and sweet lemon meringue tart seems to have little in common with the British Queen of Punk.

Westwood is usually described with the terms "punk rock", "controversial" and "crackpot". Delicate afternoon teas seem to inhabit a different world.

But Westwood's team at the cafe will take pains to convince you that the treats, not to mention the ambience that was "remotely created" by the fashion designer back in London, is the very essence of Dame Vivienne Westwood.

"The idea of having a fashion cafe popped up more than 10 years ago by Vivienne, as we felt as a brand, coffee and a coffee shop are things that naturally link very well with our design, products and the type of people who walk in," says Giuseppe Aragoni, global commercial director of the eponymous brand founded in 1976.

It has taken more than a year to prepare for the cafe, which is neither a pop-up store nor a spontaneous investment but the prototype of a new business - food and beverage - the 74-year-old fashion designer would like to roll out worldwide, Aragoni says.

"Vivienne has been very much involved (in the preparation and opening of the cafe). Vivienne doesn't travel much any more, but for Shanghai, she has made extra effort as she loves the city and its culture," says Aragoni.

In 2011, Westwood debuted her spring summer collection during the Shanghai Fashion Week and lectured at a university on the possibilities of China saving the world through taking action on climate change.