As exemplified by brands like Carven, Acne, and Kenzo, the current trend seems to be comfort in the sense of pop and ease of wear. I feel the same way when visiting various exhibitions. The lineup of colored pants, the variety of colored tights, and the surf elements evoking a West Coast vibe—the stress-free textures, finishes, and colors—remained in my mind.
Men's clothing, which has a stiff image, has also become softer. What surprised me at the Isetan Men's press exhibition was not only the colored pants, but also the lineup of men's shoes. The uppers are authentic leather shoes, but the soles are casual, using urethane or rubber. Of course, the trendy Cole Haan "Luna Grand" also made an appearance.
This atmosphere is reflected directly in the shop space. At Acne in Aoyama, which opened on the 14th, the shop space and the clothing were in perfect harmony. In that sense, the interior is successful. However, from a design perspective, it lacks impact. The spatial collage, interspersed with different materials, is certainly well-crafted. However, on the flip side, this is also a matter of the spatial composition of the styling.
I recently met with an interior designer who designs stores for Issey Miyake and SAZABY LEAGUE. Their style is characterized by meticulous detailing and a design approach that extends to merchandising, proposing new ways of displaying products. However, "I rarely lose in competitions, but recently I lost two in a row to the same company." He said he proposed new designs both times, but the designs that were accepted were more stable. Perhaps this is a difficult time for designers who focus on thorough design and bring in fresh ideas.
Just two years ago, shop interiors seemed to compete with the presence of the clothes, creating a synergistic effect with a rival atmosphere. Now, they blend together to create a relaxing atmosphere. The clothes are easy to mix and match, and the stores are comfortable, but somehow, it feels a little lonely.
Men's clothing, which has a stiff image, has also become softer. What surprised me at the Isetan Men's press exhibition was not only the colored pants, but also the lineup of men's shoes. The uppers are authentic leather shoes, but the soles are casual, using urethane or rubber. Of course, the trendy Cole Haan "Luna Grand" also made an appearance.
This atmosphere is reflected directly in the shop space. At Acne in Aoyama, which opened on the 14th, the shop space and the clothing were in perfect harmony. In that sense, the interior is successful. However, from a design perspective, it lacks impact. The spatial collage, interspersed with different materials, is certainly well-crafted. However, on the flip side, this is also a matter of the spatial composition of the styling.
I recently met with an interior designer who designs stores for Issey Miyake and SAZABY LEAGUE. Their style is characterized by meticulous detailing and a design approach that extends to merchandising, proposing new ways of displaying products. However, "I rarely lose in competitions, but recently I lost two in a row to the same company." He said he proposed new designs both times, but the designs that were accepted were more stable. Perhaps this is a difficult time for designers who focus on thorough design and bring in fresh ideas.
Just two years ago, shop interiors seemed to compete with the presence of the clothes, creating a synergistic effect with a rival atmosphere. Now, they blend together to create a relaxing atmosphere. The clothes are easy to mix and match, and the stores are comfortable, but somehow, it feels a little lonely.
