Hermes strengthens its presence in Japan with Azabudai Hills store
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Luxury fashion house Hermes has boosted its presence in Tokyo with a new stand-alone store in Azabudai Hills.
The store is located in a two-story building surrounded by parklands, gardens, and city lodgings. The brand said the venue sparkles like a lantern at night, and its vibrant interiors can be seen from the park during the day.
The space has a semi-transparent glass front covered in exquisite washi paper, which artists hand-treated to produce a flowing look that transitions from opaque to translucent. The paper is backed with a layer of brilliant panelling inspired by haku, a traditional gold-leaf technique.
The first entrance leads to the men’s space with leather goods, jewellery and watches, and equestrian collections. The second area features women’s silk alongside perfume and jewellery.
The grand floor has two fitting rooms and a private salon. Another private area upstairs leads out onto a fragrant rooftop garden covered with trees, evoking the ancient rooftop garden on Paris’s Faubourg Saint-Honouré.
The store, designed by the Parisian architecture firm RDAI, combines nature with Japanese architectural traditions.
Questions & Answers
Q.What unique design features does the new Hermes store in Azabudai Hills incorporate?
What unique design features does the new Hermes store in Azabudai Hills incorporate?
The store features a semi-transparent glass front covered in hand-treated washi paper, backed with panelling inspired by the haku gold-leaf technique. It also has a rooftop garden evoking the brand's Paris flagship.
Q.Which architecture firm was responsible for designing this new Hermes store?
Which architecture firm was responsible for designing this new Hermes store?
The Parisian architecture firm RDAI designed the new Hermes store. Their design aimed to combine elements of nature with traditional Japanese architectural styles, creating a distinctive and harmonious space.
Q.What product categories are available on the ground floor of the new Azabudai Hills store?
What product categories are available on the ground floor of the new Azabudai Hills store?
The ground floor features a men's space with leather goods, jewellery, watches, and equestrian collections. A separate area offers women's silk, perfume, and additional jewellery ranges.
Q.How does the store's exterior interact with its surroundings, particularly at different times of day?
How does the store's exterior interact with its surroundings, particularly at different times of day?
During the day, the vibrant interiors are visible from the park. At night, the venue is described as sparkling like a lantern, illuminating the surrounding parklands and city lodgings.
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