TO JAPAN AND BACK: FOLLOWING THE NEW SPRING-SUMMER 2011 COLLECTION, PART 4
The second part of the journey to Japan: The wanders of Tokyo
The journey to Japan became a life transforming moment. Not just because of unusual experiences, but also because the trailer for this trip was so meaningful. I'm used to get what I want instantaneously and Japan, after all, was a prolonged challenge.
Along with Michal, who always knows her way around, we browsed through Tablet; a website focuses on boutique hotels from across the globe. We crosschecked the information with recommendations from the trendforcasting site – WGSN.
This combination led us to Claska Hotel – a boutique hotel belongs to a young group of people that tries to make every guest to feel like they're staying at a friend's house.
In terms of the design, this must be the prettiest hotel I have ever seen. The lobby is filled with DJ's and there's a window overlooks a designed dog's salon.
On the second floor you will find a design gallery with an endless flux of music. Every room has a story of its own and every floor there's a completely different world.
When the concierge recommends a place or an event, you know that's the right place to be in. And so, we had a couple of fascinating days in Tokyo.
When you'll get there, don't forget to visit the Coexist gallery, opened in 2010. As the name implies, this location tries to assimilate in the urban environment and to become an inseparable part from it. The gallery is devoted to contemporary artists and designers and it successfully showcases the in workings of the local scene. All of the exhibitions, by the way, deal with the possibility to create a dialogue between art and earth.
If you want to immerse in Tokyo fashion scene, try the fashion building over at Shibuya 109, encompasses 110 designer stores. Your fashion desires will come to life not just because of what happens on the hangers; the regiments of women in the different floors will expose you to the local style.
And if we're basking into fashion complexes, visit Omote Sando Hills; not just because it has 100 stores, but also because of renowned architect Tadeo Ando's works, which are on display. We will return to Tadeo Ando later on.
At night time, the fashion scene finds its way to The Trump Room, a space filled with antiques, mirrors, chandeliers, taxidermies and everything one needs to create an aesthetically exciting nocturnal experience.
You can also try Air; a space devoted to concerts and cultural events. And here's a trivia item – this is where some parts of "Lost in Translation" were shot.
During the upcoming weeks I will share my journey with you, which exposed me to inspirations who found their way to my new summer collection for 2011.