If you still don’t have a piece of Issey Miyake’s pleats in your wardrobe, you don’t know what you’re missing out on. Known for his extremely hi-tech approach to fashion design, the Japanese designer re-popularised crease-friendly (or actually crease-less) garments in the 1980s, reviving fabrications the late couturier Mariano Fortuny originated at the turn of the last century. By permanently pleating manmade fabrics, Miyake looked further into the future than anyone else. He was catering to the life of tomorrow, fast-paced and without time to lose on steaming or ironing, For decades since, his pleats have been part of the everyday travelling wardrobe of people from all around the globe. Young, old, male, female or whatever other gender – the appeal of Miyake’s forward-thinking fashion doesn’t see limits. While the women’s line, Pleats Please, already has multiple flagships all around the world, his men’s line – Homme Plissé Issey Miyake – has only just got its first flagship.
Set in Tokyo’s affluent shopping area of Aoyama, the new store spreads across 225 square metres of a clean, industrial space. With beams and concrete as the main design elements, the vibrant colours make the Homme Plissé pieces parts of the decor. Ones you can buy, take home and then wear for the rest of your life. The space was designed by Tokujin Yoshioka and includes one surprising moment, making a visit to this store an unmissable event for any Miyake superfan. In the back of the room, only separated with a glass wall, is the pleating machine, joined by the press and sewing machines, just as you would found them in the factory. By bringing the spirit of “monozukuri no gemba” (Japanese for workshop) into the space, the brand adds another layer of conversation with their customer. Instead of just wondering how the pieces are made, you can actually catch the process in action every day from 2 to 5pm. Particularly interesting is the “seihin pleats” technique, which makes pleats in fabrics cut and sewn to 1.5 times normal size. And a new store opening wouldn’t be complete without some exclusive goodies you can only get there. At Homme Plissé Issey Miyake , you can get the first ever limited-edition long-sleeved T-shirt range in 10 different colours, as made by the pleating machine located in the shop. If this isn’t experiential retail, we don’t know what is.
The first Homme Plissé Issey Miyake store is open at 3-18-14 Minami Aoyama, Minato, Tokyo 107-0062.
