To many that attended last evening’s opening party for the very first Carhartt Work In Progress (or Carhartt WIP) store in the U.S., there was more than mere jubilation; there was a sense of relief. For expats living in New York, the store means a bit less luggage to carry on their next trip to Europe. For fans of the brand, it means no more exorbitant surcharges on shipping and taxes from Internet purchases. Still for others, the store serves a purpose of convenience. Hosted by Arnaud Faeh, Carhartt WIP’s creative director, last night’s simple fare of conversations over beers brought out the notables from ALIFE, Nike Stadium, Reed Space, Staple Design, GILT, New York Times, and much more. Individuals like jeweler Gabriel Urist, DJ Alex from Tokyo, and artist Kostas Seremetis stopped for a visit as well. As for those who couldn’t attend last night’s event, the Carhartt WIP NYC Store will open its doors today for the first time. Finally, it’s here!
Photography: Poe for Freshness
Carhartt WIP NYC Store
119 Crosby Street | Map
New York, NY 10012
As Japanese design Noriaki Endo begins the unenviable task of closing his influential Devilock brand. “Tributes” are coming in as gestures of thanks, including Shinsuke Takizawa of NEIGHBORHOOD who added a special edition selvedge denim to Devilock’s final collection. In slightly washed colorway, the commemorative edition also features leather rear pocket and patches in black, symbolic to Devilock’s influence. Limited in availability starting next month, the Devilock x NEIGHBORHOOD Special Edition Selvedge Denim is now available for pre-order on ZOZOTOWN shopping network.
If Beijing’s bustling Sanlitun Road shopping district does not completely convey the notion of China’s raising consumerism culture. Then the new opened Maison Martin Margiela flagship store just might. Situated within the Sanlitun Road district as well, the multi-floor boutique the label largest thus far, with the complete range from its apparel, accessories, and home design collections. In true Margiela style, the store’s airy interior mimics the sterile nature of a laboratory, though there are subtle “fun” aspects dotted within its design, such as the aluminum slide that brings you from second to first floor in a jiffy.
Photography: Jonathan Leijonhufvud
Maison Martin Margiela Beijing
N2-18/N2-28, Village North | Map
No.11 Sanlitun Road
Chaoyang District, Beijing
The crew at Boston’s BODEGA have put together their Fall/Winter 2011 Lookbook. Shot by Fiona Boyd, the images ably demonstrate why autumn is the preferred fashion season for so many. Some will cite the cooler temperatures allowing for the opportunity to pile on the layers and accessories, some will say it’s all about the outerwear, while others still will point to the darker colors. BODEGA’s lookbook showcases all of those facets, with classic fall apparel ranging from field jackets to shawl collared sweaters to moc-toed boots, and featuring brands like Norse projects, Yuketen, Stussy Deluxe, Acronym, Shwood and more. All items in the lookbook are available now at BODEGA’s brick-and-mortar and online store.
BODEGA
6 Clearway Street | Map
Boston, MA 02115
TEL#: 617-421-1550
Down this baffling alleyway in SoHo to destination nowhere, till this week. Ignore the drab street corners, the oddly placed street signs, and you will find the Carhartt WIP New York store, or at least portion of it as workers busied themselves to the finishing touches. Ideally located just one street over from Supreme, the store will be the first Carhartt Work In Progress, the workwear brand’s European subsidiary, to be open here in the U.S. Scheduled to officially open this Thursday, October 27th.
Carhartt WIP – New York City
119 Crosby Street | Map
New York, NY 10012
Opening Date: October 27th, 2011 (Thursday)
According to the label’s co-founder, Bobby Hundreds, The Hundreds Winter 2011 Collection is in itself an introduction of “streetwear in the context of nature”. Taking the design theme of urban mountaineering, the design team at The Hundreds re-apply it to their familiar causal street style. The outcome is an amalgamation of various concepts, dotted across heavy outerwear, signature flannel plaids, and its soon-to-be iconic The Hundreds camouflage. See the collection within the ideal backdrop of Mount Baker, Washington in The Hundreds Winter 2011 Collection Lookbook. Meanwhile, items will be available at The Hundreds retail locations in the coming weeks.
In this holiday season collaboration between Stussy and Levi’s, the design teams of both labels decided on a “warmer” focus with “Blue Sundries” theme. The exclusive collection features Levi’s 1st Truck Jacket, Chambray Work Shirt, Work Vest, plus varieties of pants and denims such as the STA-PREST Chinos and Levi’s 505 Regular Fit Straight Denim. All cut to the classic work wear specifications and fits. Donning on each is a certain faded indigo as if they were “sun-kissed” to perfection. The collection will launch next Saturday, October 29th, via Stussy Chapter Stores, online store, and its ZOZOTOWN branch in Japan.
You certainly don’t see opening gala as such on this stretch of Fifth Avenue in New York City. A little touch of evening rain certainly didn’t dampen anyone’s spirit as they entered into the UNIQLO Fifth Avenue, aka “the crystal cathedral”. Among the very first to greet invited guests last Thursday evening was UNIQLO Founder/Fast Retailing CEO Tadashi Yanai and his wife in traditional kimono. Other familiar greeters were Naoki Takizawa, UNIQLO Design Director, and of course, Nicola Formechitti, the retailer’s consummated collaborator. But what grabbed most of the headline and photographers’ blinding flashes were the surprise appearances, from artist KAWS, actress Susan Sarandon, Suchin Pak, Edison Chen… Even retail king Mickey Drexler, CEO of J. Crew, stopped by and shared an animated conversation with Yanai. And with the smashing of sake kegs to usher in good fortunate, the official cerebration started…
Photography: Poe for Freshness
UNIQLO Fifth Avenue
666 5th Avenue | Map
(@ West 53rd Street)
New York, NY 10016
With fans in the hundreds filing into the just opened UNIQLO Fifth Avenue Global Flagship Store at Noon today, the Japanese retail chain welcomed each guest with a delightful arrangement. Starting today till October 30th, UNIQLO will be offering its New Store Opening Promotions at the Fifth Avenue location, the second flagship store on 34th Street set to open next weekend, and its original SoHo flagship. Shoppers can save even more on already low-priced merchandises, like V-Neck Cashmere Sweater for $59.90, from the regular price of $99.90. Some items from the hugely popular HEATTECH base layer collection are now $12.90 instead of the original price of $19.90. You will also find Special Edition Jeans, crafted by UNIQLO with exact similarities from selvedge denim, now for sale for $9.90. Need not worry about another “sale bin diving” episode when you visit the store today. Thanks to architect Masamichi Katayama’s airy design, you will find the mentioned items and more easily at the massive UNIQLO Fifth Avenue. For a detailed list of all items at promotional price, simply see it after the click…
UNIQLO Fifth Avenue
666 5th Avenue | Map
(@ West 53rd Street)
New York, NY 10016
UNIQLO SoHo
546 Broadway | Map
New York, NY 10012
TEL #: 917-237-8811
Sale Dates: October 14th, 2011 (TODAY!) – October 30th, 2011
Not missing a beat, the New York-based Acapulco Gold took in the attitudes of those disenfranchised and re-offered them as statical commentary on its Fall 2011 Collection. While graphics are quite poignant though heavy on subliminal message, AG kept also kept up at the quality end. From the 14.5oz Japanese Red line Selvage Denim imported from Japan, 420 grams fleece from Canada, to the yarn-dyed plaid of its own design, the creation process at AG draws more similarities to those popular “artisan” designer labels. Yet, it still got a street wear heart at its core. The Acapulco Gold Fall 2011 Collection is now available at all Acapulco Gold retail locations and its own online store.
Even after all the ads plastered on every conceivable modes of public transportation, phone booth, news stands and billboards, you’ll most likely still hear patrons of UNIQLO asking “When will they open another store in New York City?” The answer is – Tomorrow.
Situated at the corner on Fifth Avenue and West 53rd Street is the newest global flagship of the ever popular Japanese retail chain. Encompassed four floors and at around 89,000 square-foot, it will also be the largest UNIQLO store in the world. Much of that will register once you enter the store front as a mammoth atrium, the height of the entire store, greets you. After the initial impression sets in, shoppers will have two distinct routes to meander through the store. If you’re in a hurry, the escalator will take you directly to the top floor. Or you can hop along the LED-lighted staircases dotted throughout the store. Whatever you select, there are bound to be surprises at every corner. For example, upon the mezzanine is an entire dedicated to the UNIQLO x Jil Sander +J Collection. Virtually sold out elsewhere, UNIQLO “refreshed” the collection for the two flagship stores openings in New York City. Another is the “mirrored hall” or “party tunnel” as dubbed by employees, a centerpiece with all of UNIQLO’s popular Heattech Collection on display.
Despite its ample size at 89,000 square-foot, the premium price of a retail space on the coveted Fifth Avenue meant architect Masamichi Katayama and his firm Wonderwall had to work miracle. One way to approach the issue of space is to stock the majority of inventory up front, thus freeing storage room needs and maximize each retail floors. Instead of it looking like another “big box retailer”, Katayama created an intimate shopping space, quite counterintuitively. With applications of natural wood floors, the combination of direct lighting, along with some 300+ LCD screens, and finally the compartmentize of UNIQLO’s different collections, Katayama was able to balance space efficiency with a certain “warmth”.
The UNIQLO Fifth Avenue Global Flagship Store is set to open tomorrow at Noon.
Photography: Poe for Freshness
UNIQLO Fifth Avenue
666 5th Avenue | Map
(@ West 53rd Street)
New York, NY 10016
Opening Date: October 14th, 2011 (Tomorrow!) | Noon
Somewhere in there, among the drove of reporters from every conceivable media and formats, is Edison Chen. Can you find him?
Finally, the CLOT x Disney retail concept known as Man Is In The Forest opened its door in Taipei City in the midst of fans and supporters over the weekend. Situated in the trendy Xinyi District and near the once tallest building in the world, Taipei 101, the new store front featured a sparse layout designed by Makoto Azuma. Best known for his landscape creations, especially those done with fellow designer Kazuki Kuraishi, Azuma cultivated the store’s unique interior, quite literally. With special sponge-like planting blocks developed by Japan’s Suntory Midorie, Azuma nurtured more than 10 species of horticultural flora into a shape most identifiable with Disney – Mickey Mouse’s ears.
Derived from a pivotal juncture in Disney‘s animated classic Bambi, Man Is In The Forest is a distinctive take by CLOT‘s Edison Chen, Kevin Poon, along with Disney’s Ben Yue, on the intuitive relationship we all have with Disney animations. A fact especially discernible within the many other creative types involved in this project, including X-Large, MEDICOM TOY, SSUR, PAM, Bounty Hunter, Vanquish, 84/74 Lab, and more… Besides as a temporary storefront that will be offering limited edition items from the said group of designers. The grand opening, with Edison Chen as host, marked the mid-point of Traveling Mickey Charity Auction, where fans can bid on one-of-the-kind Mickey Mouse vinyl set. Half of the auction’s proceeds, along with certain merchandise sales from the store, will benefit local youth programs aimed creative development.
CLOT x Disney – Man Is In The Forest – Taipei
4F-10, No.12, Songshou Road | Map
Xinyi District, Taipei City Taiwan
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