MAISON KITSUNÉ's first Asian street-level stores opened simultaneously in two locations in Minami-Aoyama, Tokyo, on Friday, February 15th.
Maison Kitsuné (3-15-13 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo) will primarily stock men's and women's ready-to-wear collections. In addition to cardigans and sweaters featuring a limited-edition logo of two kissing foxes, items on display include sunglasses in collaboration with Oliver Peoples, a bright red heart T-shirt exclusive to Japan, a patch in collaboration with Olympia Le Tan, a "Parisien" cap in collaboration with New Era, and boots in collaboration with MICHEL VIVIEN. Less than a minute's walk from Maison Kitsune, CAFÉ KITSUNÉ (3-17-1 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo) features a cafe overseen by Omotesando Coffee. Enjoy Kitsune Coffee, an original blend that combines the rich flavor of Italian espresso with a Japanese twist. The Bonjour Records section offers records, CDs, iPhone cases, and key chains, as well as the Parisien line, which includes polo shirts and T-shirts called Kitsuné Tee. The interior and exterior of the shop were overseen by Masaya Kuroki, one of the brand's founders and a former architect. At Maison Kitsune, tatami mats are embedded into the benches and the floors are made of parquet. The fitting rooms are designed to resemble Japanese rooms, featuring hand-painted artwork by Kuroki's mother. Cafe Kitsune, with its purely Japanese-style entrance featuring bamboo fences and checkered paving stones, also combines traditional Japanese elements such as wallpaper featuring family crests, wooden carved Inari statues, and antique chests of drawers. Both stores are decorated with bonsai, Kuroki's hobby. "I want people to experience the world of Kitsune in a relaxed atmosphere. Everything about this space is carefully crafted. My current mood is for people to experience traditional Japanese style. We opened a shop in New York last year, and Kitsune as a brand continues to evolve," says Kuroki. True to his words, in February, a joint venture, Maison Kitsune Japan, was established with Japanese apparel company Jun, marking the start of full-scale expansion in Japan.
