Topics	Event Information

Press Release	Press Media

Dissertation

visvim (Omotesando)

To coincide with reaching a milestone of 10-years since the 2014 opening of the visvim flagship store in the Omotesando area of Tokyo we have renovated the store. At visvim, the product itself has always been the lead character and we have made it a point to keep store spaces neutral, so the product remains at the center of attention. This basic concept stays the same, however I would like to create stores that reflect unique characteristics of its location alongside the things that I am feeling at the time.

Category:		Shops

Date:		2025.02.04

Tags:		#GYRE #omotesando #visvim

Something that is greater than myself

This store is located inside a commercial facility called "GYRE" where we had previously utilized repurposed floorboards from an old American elementary school to be used as the flooring, to make the most of the big space, but for the renovation I decided to update the flooring with a limestone from Okinawa. The lightweight, brittle texture of this stone is able to gently catch the light coming in from the outside. I believe this changes the previous image of a store that was more profound to a more natural, comfortable space.

For the entrance of the store, we worked with "Nakamura" a workshop in the Kanda area of Tokyo who have prepared a "noren" that is made with a ramie material from visvim. The idea behind this was when a customer steps into our store by entering through the noren curtains they would be able to fully immerse themselves into the world of visvim within the context of a modern commercial facility. Rather than completely separating spaces with large walls, we opted to gently partition spaces with a symbolic boundary. Other things such as shoji or tatami mats is a technique often seen in traditional Japanese architecture. As you enter the interior of the space a large opening provides a view of the greenery from the zelkova trees of Omotesando. The flooring continues on to the outdoor veranda, which connects the "inner" and "outer" spaces. It creates a feeling that you are in touch with nature.

The previous store featured fixtures that had a rotating hanger system originally used in American clothing stores during the 1910's that were restored and fitted for the store's space. Those fixtures inspired some original pieces that a furniture craftsman made for me about 15 years ago for exhibitions we hosted in Paris. The new fixtures still follow the designs, structure, and mechanisms from 100 years ago, however we were able to create something completely new with specifications more suitable for use in a modern store environment. The craftsman who made the new fixtures is the son of the man who created the original versions for me. There has been a passing of the baton, but thanks to the involvement of two generations, both father and son have contributed to the long-awaited completion of these new fixtures. In our world of manufacturing, there are many wonderful things, "that could be made in the past, but can no longer be made now." This time, after a long time we were finally able to create something that surpassed the old ones. I was very happy that we were able to evolve this fixture.

I feel that the spirit these Japanese craftsmen possess of "improving their skills for the sake of their own dignity," is a precious trait. Without people like this, it would not be possible to create our products. As a sign of our gratitude and respect for their spirit, alongside a declaration of intent to our customers, we made a large Shimenawa rope that is fixed high up on the wall of our store. A genuine Shimenawa made from straw requires not only craftsmen with specialized skills to make it, but also a group of specialists to lift and set them into place. They are so heavy that it takes more than 10 adult men to lift them. I would like to cherish it as a symbolic presence representing a reverence for "something that is greater than myself."