Juxtaposed: Taste of Tokyo

By Jo Phillips

REALITY LAB.ISSEY MIYAKE INTERIOR

The Aoyama district in Tokyo has just witnessed the opening of the latest store: REALITY LAB.ISSEY MIYAKE. The three-floor space that has been designed by Tokujin Yoshioka with the concept to express the beauty that lies within unfinished beauty. With ultra-slick clean lines and a modern minimalist decor surrounded by bare concrete walls and exposed air conditioners, it’s a real amalgamation of different utilitarian styles. The bright colours in the clinical setting spark the feel of some kind of fashion laboratory in Japan’s style capital and the featured brands include the new HOMME PLISSE ISSEY MIYAKE which offers a new take on everyday clothing for the modern man based on the Miyake pleates.

REALITY LAB.ISSEY MIYAKE INTERIOR

REALITY LAB.ISSEY MIYAKE EXTERIOR

In other global news, London’s Selfridges department store has revealed its new three-floor space: The Louis Vuitton Townhouse. Connected by the world’s first double helix elevator, the store that has been designed by Gwenael Nicolas – who happens to be based in Tokyo – naturally has a slight Japanese influence. It’s light and modern decor has the same minimal sensibility of classic oriental interiors reminiscent of typical shoji sliding doors and tatami flooring. On opposite ends of the world we have two very different spaces from two very inspiring brands, each with a presence or influence from one of the greatest cities in the world.

Louis Vuitton Townhouse: Double Helix Elevator