AMI Alexandre Mattussi's Japanese flagship store opened on the 12th on the first floor of GYRE in Omotesando, Tokyo. Debuting at the Paris Men's in 2011, the brand quickly gained popularity. Winning the ANDEM Fashion Award in 2013, the brand has expanded its global reach, and this marks its first street-level store outside of its home country of France. Currently operating three directly managed stores in Paris, the Omotesando store was designed by the architectural design unit STUDIO KO, comprised of Carl Fournier and Olivier Marty, who also designed the Paris stores. While based on the modern interior design of AMI's latest store, the Saint-Honoré store, the new store is said to have been created with a completely different concept from previous stores. Taking advantage of GYRE's surroundings, the space consciously combines different materials such as marble, rattan, cork, brass rails, mirrors, and plants, giving the impression of combining the different textures of East and West.

"When we thought about the AMI flagship store, this location (the first floor of GYRE) was the only place we could think of. This location, where luxury brands and streetwear shops intersect, is the perfect place for AMI, Paris's real clothes brand," said a brand insider.

The opening reception the day before was attended by fans and friends of the brand, who congratulated Alexandre on his visit to Japan. AMI (meaning friend in French) logo sweatshirts and red knit caps filled the area around GYRE in Omotesando.


■text: Noda Tatsuya