Christian Louboutin will open its flagship store in Tokyo's Aoyama district on December 4th. The seventh store in Japan and the 81st worldwide, the multi-purpose street-level store will carry shoes, bags, and leather accessories for both men and women. Designer Christian Louboutin also visited Japan to celebrate the opening. Located in the residential area of Minami-Aoyama, the store's interior was designed by 212box, the New York-based architectural design firm that also designed the Ginza store. Lead architect Eric Clow and Louboutin collaborated on the design. The sofas and other furniture were also selected by the pair, and the interior features a mix of materials, including metal tiles and wood, that Louboutin, a travel enthusiast, discovered in Morocco and other countries around the world. "Aoyama has a village-like atmosphere, lined with shops from international brands, and exudes a European flair. The Aoyama store is very spacious, and the natural light streaming in from the terrace is reminiscent of Paris. The stone wall design, composed of curved lines, and the use of mirrors to create light and shadow evoke the world of Junichiro Tanizaki's 'In Praise of Shadows,' and are very Japanese," said Louboutin.

The exterior is adorned with a signboard in the same red as the brand's iconic "red sole," and a red carpet stretches throughout the store. Natural light pours in through large glass windows, and light partitions created by Barrisol lighting embedded in the ceiling invite customers inside.

In the women's section just inside the store, a display shelf lined with small arched windows, common to all Louboutin stores, is installed. Like birds flying out of windows, shoes placed within each arch fly out to the customer, creating a story. The luxurious space is enhanced by walls made of travertine tiles set in a geometric rosette pattern, a wall combining colorful tiles from New England, and an accessory case with a top made of African wood and natural fossilized stone. On display shelves connected to the ceiling, the popular "Hard Collection," featuring studded designs, is displayed on a studded, mirrored rotating table.

The Aoyama store also boasts one of the world's largest men's sections. It features a leather-covered wall featuring shoe patterns, a wood-grain wall adorned with photos of tattoos, and display shelves made of recycled tin. "We often see men shopping in groups in Paris, so we made the men's section larger so that they can relax in the store. With a salon-like atmosphere, we might eventually introduce a bespoke service, such as initial engraving," said Louboutin.

Items include the women's line-up of "So Kate" patent leather pumps with thin heels, "The Malabar" and "Latcho" which combine a variety of leathers in a vibrant mix, and the "Sweety Charity" pochette with the brand's signature ribbon motif, while the men's line-up includes the "Dictateur" with metal embroidery and the "Mamounia" dress shoes. There is also a wide selection of sneakers, including "Louis Spikes" and "Roller Boat." In addition, a number of limited edition colors for each series are available exclusively at the Aoyama store.