COMMUNITY Spirit
Vogue Singapore|May/June 2023
After eight years in Singapore, Mirko Febbrile is opening his very own restaurant, Fico, at East Coast Park and it is a promising amalgamation of his past, present and future.
AMELIA CHIA
COMMUNITY Spirit

Mirko Febbrile is as ambitious and plucky as they come. As a result, he is perched on a chair in a construction site that will soon be his new restaurant, Fico, with a squawking chicken on his back. He turns to peck the chicken next to him with a humourless gaze, before he bursts out laughing at the absurdity of it all. We are at the shoot for this particular story, and just two days prior, he had gamely convinced us that having a chicken on set would add to the conceptual nature of our photos. Febbrile was right—we scrolled through the final photos after we were done, and nodded in agreement that our unconventional decision had paid off.

Perhaps it is this exact boldness that has landed Febbrile at this exact juncture. Hailing from Puglia, Italy, the 31-year-old is just weeks away from opening his first restaurant amid the lush greenery at East Coast Park, in partnership with The Lo & Behold Group. Fico is a combination of Febbrile’s worlds—of his joyful childhood and whom he used to be, and the person he is now.

“It’s 80 percent of my past and 20 percent of who I am today. I grew up surrounded by positive vibes and authenticity, and many people having fun at the table,” he explains. ‘We could talk about anything from money to religion, and it was always around food. It fascinated me.” He adds with a pensive smile: “So, it’s about going back to basics and enjoying the simplicity of savouring the moment. I want it to be a community, not a restaurant. It is a place where people can get together to spend time and feel free to express themselves.”

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM VOGUE SINGAPOREView all
Reunited and It Feels So Good
Vogue Singapore

Reunited and It Feels So Good

The joy of a return is palpable for K-pop star Sandara Park, who's back on stage as a member of 2NE1 for the Welcome Back tour— the group's first headlining concert since eight years of inactivity.

time-read
6 mins  |
December 2024
AP
Vogue Singapore

AP

As 2024 draws to a close, Grammy- and Tonynominated actress Ashley Park reflects on her most transformative chapter yet.

time-read
6 mins  |
December 2024
Blue HOUR
Vogue Singapore

Blue HOUR

Meet the whisky of the moment the Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ice Chalet. Released in partnership with luxury skiwear brand, Perfect Moment, it is a fashion-forward ode to the allure of après-ski culture.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 2024
MEETING of MINDS
Vogue Singapore

MEETING of MINDS

A long-standing patron of arts and culture, Chanel is making its mark in the world of literature with the Literary Rendezvous at Rue Cambon, imagined by house ambassador and spokesperson Charlotte Casiraghi. The series' next writer of focus? Acclaimed French author Colette.

time-read
4 mins  |
December 2024
The WORDSMITH
Vogue Singapore

The WORDSMITH

Singaporean author Amanda Lee Koe's books defy definition-as does their maker.

time-read
6 mins  |
December 2024
MAGIC Show
Vogue Singapore

MAGIC Show

Cartier has unveiled The Power of Magic, its latest exhibition dedicated to the enchanting powers of its creations. Vogue Singapore's watches and jewellery editor reports from Shanghai and speaks with the director of the Cartier Collection.

time-read
5 mins  |
December 2024
Rebel REBEL
Vogue Singapore

Rebel REBEL

A surprising team-up for the ages: Japanese pearl jeweller Mikimoto collaborates with uber-cool Hollywood luxury label Chrome Hearts.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 2024
Glorious MOVEMENT
Vogue Singapore

Glorious MOVEMENT

Seeing an athlete at the top of their game can be awe-inspiring, a sense captured in the RM 07-04 Automatic Sport by Richard Mille.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 2024
Picture PERFECT
Vogue Singapore

Picture PERFECT

In Shanghai, the Milanese jeweller Pomellato debuted its first retrospective exhibition, celebrating its free-spirited story.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 2024
The SPECTRUM OF BEAUTY
Vogue Singapore

The SPECTRUM OF BEAUTY

In an industry where neurotypical is the default, how do neurodivergent individuals navigate their relationship with beauty? Vogue Singapore investigates.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2024