Japan’s Nanamica landing in New York City for US debut

1 min readUpdated May 30, 2025Aug 24, 202011:01 PM

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Japanese clothing label Nanamica is to open its first international store in New York City.

Located on Worcester St in the Soho arena, the Nanamica New York store occupies 1200sqft, offering a selection of designer Akumate Nanamica’s lines together with a limited collection from other brands, including a collaboration with The North Face, Purple Label.

Designed by Taichi Kuma, the store design features a “house of the sea” theme, illustrating the open and relaxing ambiance of the sea, according to the company.

“With the message of One Ocean, All Lands (the sea is one and the world is connected), we will send it from New York to the world so that the style proposed by Nanamica, a high-dimensional mix of fashion and function, will become a standard for various countries,” the company said in a statement translated from Japanese.

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What this means

Nanamica's New York City debut is a calculated, low-risk entry into a key fashion market, using an established brand identity and existing collaborations like The North Face Purple Label. This strategy minimises immediate financial exposure while testing international consumer appetite for its 'fashion and function' blend. Unlike Capella Hotel Group's larger-scale market entries in Japan, Nanamica opts for a single, high-impact flagship rather than widespread store openings. This measured approach puts pressure on similar premium Japanese brands contemplating global expansion, forcing them to consider direct D2C international flagships over traditional wholesale. Success here will likely pave the way for further openings in other major fashion capitals. Watch for any announcements regarding its next store location or expansion plans.

Aiko Tanaka

Questions & Answers

What is the size of the new Nanamica store in New York City?

The new Nanamica store in New York City is 1200 square feet. It will offer designer Akumate Nanamica’s lines and a limited collection from other brands, including a collaboration with The North Face, Purple Label.

Which other brands will be featured in the New York store?

The Nanamica store will offer a limited collection from other brands. This includes a collaboration with The North Face, specifically their Purple Label line, alongside Nanamica’s own designer lines.

Who designed the interior of Nanamica's debut international store?

The store’s design was created by Taichi Kuma. The concept features a "house of the sea" theme, aiming to illustrate an open and relaxing ambiance that reflects the sea.

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