One would think that as a New Yorker I should be used to walking. This morning I awoke to the scream of my blistered feet, begging for mercy. Yesterday was another trip into the seemingly never ending Tokyo shopping labyrinth. I took things slower, explored more carefully and found some of the previously elusive spots. The streets are mostly unmarked, and initially, fairly difficult to navigate to a new comer. The highlight of the day was the breathtaking Zaha Hadid designed Neil Barrett store. I have been a huge fan of Mr. Barrett for sometime, ever since I found my favorite sweater coat years ago. My other favorite was the Beams+ hunting lodge / store in Shibuya. Can they open a store in New York? I would shop there everyday.
Beams+ in Shibuya
Beams International Gallery in Shibuya
I also went to Ships, Slapshot, American Rag CIE, Levis, Muji, Original Fake, Stussy, Undefeated, United Arrows (again), A.P.C., Journal Standard (again), Uniqlo, Top Shop, Edifice and many others. In the evening, Heavy Tweed Jacket was kind enough to take me through the unbelievable men’s shoe department at Isetan in Shinjuku and the massive Takashimaya Times Square. Many thanks to HTJ for the hospitality and the guidance.
The new Neil Barrett store in Aoyama
10 Corso Como Comme des Garçons
45 RPM
Louis Vuitton x Comme des Garçons
Say hi to HTJ for me and take a photo of those Florsheims Yumas. The Japanese are getting something made in Australia while the US release in November is made in Brazil or India. Must be a difference.
I like the Beama+ in Shibuya store. It seems to be one of few older buildings in a city of mass modernity.
How do you do it? Shopping two days in a row! I’d kill myself if I had to shop two days in a month.
For the glory, for the glory.
ACL
Nice shop coverage Michael. On your next trip be sure to seek out the Free International Laboratory
shop for the brand Visvim.
If your still in Tokyo the F.I.L. store is behind the Dior Boutique on Meiji Dori. Walk down the narrow
street to the right of Dior, at the next little cross street turn left in it will be a few doors down on your left. No signs, It’s in a white building/sub level,
walk down the stairs.
1st off…excellent blog. big fan. 2nd…what brings you to Tokyo? Work – fun or both?
I’m curious, are you shopping at any stores that are on the cheaper end of the spectrum? And if so, how are you finding the styles (are the trends akin to what’s happening in similar stores in NY?) and the sizing (are they true to size or is there still a vanity sizing element)?