Kering, the global luxury group, has opened its new Japanese headquarters, the Kering Building, in Omotesando, Tokyo. Home to stores by Gucci, Saint Laurent, and Boucheron, Omotesando is an important area for the group and its brands. In September 2020, Alexander McQueen relocated and opened a store based on a new concept. In November, Balenciaga will also open one of its largest stores in the world. Furthermore, in 2021, Bottega Veneta will open a new flagship store designed by Creative Director Daniel Lee on the first to third floors of the Kering Building. Designed in 2004 by Pritzker Architecture Prize-winning architect Toyo Ito as a store and Japan headquarters for the Italian luxury brand, Kering acquired the building in 2019 with its real estate partners. Its unique façade, which frames the silhouette of Omotesando's zelkova trees, has been a renowned landmark of the area for over 15 years. Kering Japan's new headquarters is more than just an office building; it reflects the Group's vision and philosophy. The English pronunciation of "Kering" is the same as "caring," reflecting how we think about and build relationships with our brands, employees, customers, stakeholders, and the planet. Furthermore, in Breton, a language closely connected to Kering's roots in Brittany, France, "ker" means "home" or "place to live."



Four floors of the Kering Building have been dedicated to office space, with architect Farah Taraie, who was responsible for the interior design, creating a comfortable space. By incorporating elements of nature into the design concept, the space has truly become a "Japanese home" for the Kering Group. Taraie created this unique space, saying, "The Kering Building is a place where French and Japanese cultures, and traditional and modern Japanese elements, meet and blend together." The space incorporates elements of traditional Japanese homes, such as shoji screens and verandas, creating a modern and soft atmosphere with a white base and Japanese colors. In line with Kering's environmental considerations, natural and recycled materials are also used extensively, including a ban on the use of PVC. As part of Kering's support for women in the arts and culture world, as exemplified by Women In Motion, artwork by female artists is also exhibited throughout the office.

An event space will be set up on the sixth floor of the Kering Building for Kering and its Group brands, where lectures and events related to Women In Motion and sustainability will be held. The first commemorative event will be a "Women In Motion" talk event celebrating the opening of the Kering Building and the release of the film "Asa ga Kuru." The event will feature film director Naomi Kawase, lead actor Hiromi Nagasaku, and Arata Iura. The event will be streamed on Kering's official website and YouTube channel.



The top seventh floor is a space surrounded by nature. "Inspired by the owl, an icon of Kering, we imagined a bird building a nest on top of the building," says architect Taraie. The beautiful terrace, which offers a panoramic view of Omotesando, incorporates the theme of a "nest" and is furnished with egg-shaped chairs. The space is planted with seasonal plants and flowers beloved in both Japan and France, including lavender, which can also be found in the beautiful gardens of Kering's Paris headquarters, which is located on the site of the former Laennec Hospital, built in the 17th century. The top floor and rooftop terrace allow guests to feel close to nature in a special space reminiscent of a Japanese "home." A community will organically form among the people who gather there.

"I am thrilled to present Kering's new office in Japan, a strategically important country where Kering and its brands have a long-standing relationship. We want the Kering Building to be more than just an office. This unique building reflects who we are as a Luxury Group; it is a place of creativity. In our new office, we will not only welcome clients, business partners and friends, but also inspire bold and innovative ideas and express our vision and perspective."
François-Henri Pinault, Chairman and CEO of Kering

For more information about Kering and the Kering Building, please click here:
https://keringcorporate.dam.kering.com/m/1028ee826039512a/original/Booklet_Kering-Japan-HQ.pdf

Photo: Nacasa & Partners

[New Address]
Kering Japan Co., Ltd.
5-1-5 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0001
5-1-5 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Total square meters: 2,525.86 square meters
Office space: 1,480.62 square meters (1st floor, 4th-7th floors combined)
Event space on 6th floor: 177.3 square meters

About Kering
Kering is a global Luxury group with a series of Maisons in Fashion, Leather Goods, Jewelry and Watches, as well as Kering Eyewear. Its brands include Gucci, Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga, Alexander McQueen, Brioni, Boucheron, Pomellato, DoDo, Qeelin, Ulysse Nardin and Girard-Perregaux. With creativity at the heart of its strategy, Kering is building the luxury of the future in a sustainable and responsible way, while enabling its Houses to freely express their creative ideas. This belief is embodied in Kering's signature, "Empowering Imagination." In 2019, the Group achieved sales of €15.9 billion and employed 38,000 people as of the end of the fiscal year.



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