JULIEN DAVID, winner of the Grand Prix at last year's ANDAM fashion show and established a unique reputation for its unique collections that effortlessly blend high-end and streetwear, opened its world-first street-level flagship store in Tokyo on July 26th (2-7-15 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo). The store occupies one floor above ground, measuring 60 square meters. Based in Tokyo, the brand presents its collections in Paris. This flagship store, which opened before its Paris location, also houses an atelier. From the simple warehouse-like exterior and graffiti-adorned doors to drip-painted walls, the designer's sensibility permeates every corner. Glass, Japanese wood, and concrete were incorporated to create a space filled with the playful and lively energy that reflects the collections. The interior will change each season to reflect the collection's theme. The store offers men's and women's clothing, scarves, shoes, jewelry, and more. The scarves are available in limited edition archive pieces, and some limited edition jewelry items are also available.
"I wanted to create the best environment for people to experience my collection. I paid particular attention to the entrance, and I particularly like the graffiti door. The motif is Presley's hairstyle, you know? This season's theme is 'don't be cruel,'" says Julian with a smile, perhaps a witty reference to Elvis Presley's first self-produced single, "Don't Be Cruel." Incidentally, this song is known for a famous anecdote in pop music history: it took 28 takes to express a casual, everyday feel, a theme that overlaps with the brand's creations.
"The location, which is not too far from Omotesando and Harajuku, is the perfect place for us. It's not as commercially established as Aoyama, and although you can feel the power of Harajuku, the customer base isn't as young as there is in Harajuku. We named the shop JULIEN DAVID JINGUMAE SHOP because we believe that each location has its own vibe. When we open a new shop in the future, we want to create a shop that can only be found there, with a presentation, music and character that suits the location. First of all, we want to learn a lot from the first store. We hope to find a partner and open a second store next year."
