ISSEY MIYAKE INC. will open a new shop, REALITY LAB ISSEY MIYAKE, at From First in Aoyama, Tokyo (5-4-10 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo) on November 11th. The three-story space, which adds a new space to the previous "132 5. ISSEY MIYAKE" store, will feature 132 5. ISSEY MIYAKE, celebrating its third anniversary, as well as the new brand "HOMME PLISSE ISSEY MIYAKE," ISSEY MIYAKE's first lighting fixture, "IN-EI ISSEY MIYAKE," which recently won the Good Design Award Gold Award this year, and "BAO BAO ISSEY MIYAKE," which won the Mainichi Fashion Grand Prix Special Award last month, promoting ISSEY MIYAKE's craftsmanship.
The space was designed by Tokujin Yoshioka. Inspired by a colorful laboratory, blues and greens are used for the fixtures and walls, and the concrete walls express an unfinished beauty. The first floor features men's wear from 132 5. ISSEY MIYAKE, which launched a full-scale expansion this season. Coats and shirts, based on designs from the 1970s, are made with 100% recycled polyester, achieved through Teijin's cutting-edge "EcoCircle System" technology. ISSEY MIYAKE MEN's washi paper apparel series uses washi paper from Shiroishi City, Miyagi Prefecture, which was also featured in the 2011 exhibition "Tohoku's Strength, Heart, and Light. 'Clothing' by Miyake Issey." The jacket, made from a water-repellent fabric bonded with gauze, is washable. While the washi jacket was first introduced in the 2013 Spring/Summer Men's Collection, this latest update was inspired by Miyake Issey's philosophy: "What is social clothing? Consider Japanese craftsmanship from a cultural perspective. Continue to create products rooted in Japanese culture." Also on sale is Mike Ableson's new bag series, "RENJAKU BAG," which uses hand-woven straps made from twisted paper thread, inspired by the "koyori thread" used for shoulder carriers and straw sandals in the Tohoku region.
The basement floor is the flagship store for Homme Plisse Issey Miyake, a new brand for modern men debuting this fall/winter, and sells the brand's entire line. Items include a basic series consisting of seven tops and three bottoms, a woven series, underwear made from nylon and polypropylene, watches created in collaboration with product designers, and Issey Miyake Men's shoes.
