Wearing in
Tokyo's first North Face running store: specialized gear, services, workshops, rooftop near Yoyogi Park.
The North Face Sphere
Japan
In Tokyo, running culture is growing in style and Japanese sports company Goldwin recently opened North Face’s first running shop on Harajuku’s Meiji Street. The store, The North Face Sphere, was designed by Tokyo-based architecture studio Sawada Hashimura. Sitting alongside other North Face branches, the five-storey building is home to smart technical gear, footwear and accessories. The highlight is the 141 (One for One) service that allows customers to customise the colours and adjust the sizing of their running and training wear.
The building – a jog away from Yoyogi Park – also has a dedicated events space and a rooftop terrace. “We didn’t want to just sell products,” says project manager Hiromichi Tanaka. Once a week, there is a running event or workshop with professional athletes. “Exercise such as walking, running and climbing help us achieve a healthier body and soul,” adds Tanaka. “We want to provide that lifestyle.”
Theory x Lucas Ossendrijver
USA
Dutch designer Lucas Ossendrijver is a name to know. He worked as the menswear designer at French luxury house Lanvin for more than 14 years and one of his first solo projects is a series of capsule collections intended for city life with contemporary label Theory. “People are always going places and the way they dress needs to reflect this,” he says. Flannel, gabardine and recycled technical fabrics made in Japanese and Italian mills have been cut into suits and easygoing parkas in autumnal shades – a combination of pragmatism and elegance.
theory.com
CQP
Sweden
Swedish shoe brand CQP is expanding its scope beyond its signature trainer with a new range of handsome boots. Designed in the label’s Stockholm studio and handmade in Portugal, the shoes come in tones of bottle green, cognac and grey. They are made from supple Italian suede, paired with lightweight yet grippy soles. We have our eye on the Sabulo and Saxum ankle boots that will serve you well on tricky terrain.
Samsøe Samsøe x Gore-Tex
Denmark
As temperatures drop, Samsøe Samsøe is launching a collaboration with Gore-Tex, with basics in blacks, greys and khakis. The label tried to strike a “balance between performance and classic silhouettes, updated for everyday life,” says Gitte Wetter, head of menswear.
samose.com
Valextra
Italy
Italian brand Valextra has released a series of animal-shaped accessories, including this panda purse, made from sturdy grain leather and featuring Valextra’s signature lacquered edges.
valextra.com
Anouk
Vienna
Vienna now has a homegrown fashion mecca thanks to Anouk, which has recently opened in the city’s hip 7th district. Founded by Vincent Unden-Dimou and Manuel Haring (and named after Unden-Dimou’s three-year-old daughter), the boutique carries a selection of clothes, accessories and perfumes from the likes of Lacoste, Arte Antwerp and local label Christina Seewald. Here, Haring, who leads the shop’s creative direction, explains its raison d’être.
How did you pick the new boutique’s location?
The 7th is the creative district of Vienna and the community here is very tight-knit. The entrepreneurs in the area and the people who own the restaurants and bars are all our friends. There are richer districts in Vienna but people here are more careful with spending their money on things that they actually identify with.
What drives your buying strategy?
We wanted to bring in community-driven brands that have a long legacy or a strong culture and are still led by their founders – not bought by big fashion conglomerates. This feels a bit more like the neighbourhood we live in.
What are the highlights in your assortment for the coming season?
I’m looking forward to introducing footwear brand Salomon, the new collection of Medea bags from Milan, and Swedish label Our Legacy. We’re looking for brands that are trustworthy and constantly setting the tone, instead of chasing trends.
anouk-store.com
Images: Anna Barros
