All stories about "Aoyama"

The idea of mixing fashion and art spaces is not new -- see last week's post on the Center for COSMIC WONDER -- but it's a very welcome trend, and one that continues with the opening of Diesel Denim Gallery Aoyama (6-3-3 Minami-Aoyama, 03-6418-5323). The first floor is where you'll find the retail -- this is a store, after all -- but the entire second floor is devoted to a gallery. Current shows include Hirofu ISO/Komainu's "Once Night Falls" on the first floor (until January 20) and Hiroki Tsukuda's "Doctrine" on the second floor (until November 18), this last one curated by NANZUKA UNDERGROUND, and part of Diesel Japan's Art Support Project.

Diesel Japan [Official site]

[Photo: CBCNET]

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The latest must-see retail stop in Tokyo's Aoyama district? That would have to be the recently opened Center for COSMIC WONDER (5-18-10 Minami-Aoyama, 03-5774-6866), a shop/event space for the hip fashion brand. If you manage to find the place -- it's down a small residential alleyway off Kotto street, so check the map on the Flash-based site -- you'll be treated to an all-white exterior and interior that plays with the idea of presentation. All the clothes are hidden behind panels that you have to open yourself, sort of like checking out a friend's closet. The idea is to use the space for events as well, including film screenings and concerts, and other COSMIC WONDER-related projects.

COSMIC WONDER [Official site]

[Photo: Jean Snow]

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There are many reasons to visit the Paul Smith Space store in Tokyo's trendy Aoyama district -- it seems like Paul himself considers the branch one of his favorites -- but not to be forgotten is the gallery space on the third floor. Sure, gallery annexes are all the rage in stores these day (part of the new "ideal" retail concept), and they don't always amaze with their content.

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This past weekend I was interviewed by a travel magazine for a piece they're doing on bloggers worldwide, and so I took the writer around to a few favorite spots, which wouldn't you know it, should make for a great post here since it'll give you ideas on what to see in Aoyama and Ginza. We met at Omotesando station in Aoyama, at the Omotesando/Aoyama street crossing, before I took him to the A to Z Cafe. Then, we just crossed the street and checked out part of the "Obey Giant Vs. WK Interact" exhibition at the Agnès B. store -- the main show is being held at Tokyo Wonder Sight in Shibuya. We then made our way back to Aoyama street, crossed the road, and had a look at Naoto Fukasawa's gorgeous designs at the Plusminuszero store (well worth checking out, especially for the outdoor cafe).

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