Similar to Barney’s in New York City, Galeries Lafayette in Paris, and Selfridges in London, luxury department store Isetan is synonymous to Tokyo and iconic fixture in the city’s retail landscape. It’s known, to both discerning locals and a growing international clientele, as a one-stop shopping destination where a tightly curated yet very broad range of merchandise from fashion’s upper echelon is put on display. Situated in the heart of Shinjuku, one of the city’s main shopping districts, Isetan comprises of two adjacent stores, and being such a pivotal player in the city’s retail and fashion scene, innovation has always been a key element in its strategy.

Isetan Men‘s, the store’s men’s division, occupies the smaller of the two buildings, and for the first time in fifteen years, the premises have been given a full makeover to meet the requirements of its male clientele and maintain its leading position in Tokyo‘s fast-evolving retail scene. All eight floors and the basement section have been redesigned, and each now features a swish setting that matches the high-end products and services on offer. A series of new art installations dot the premises, all inspired by traditional Japanese crafts, and lend the shopping experience at Isetan Men‘s a cultural edge. The store covers a full wardrobe – and all other related attributes which today’s urban dandy requires – and not only in terms of product categories, but also in different styles.

Not surprisingly, the full revamp has also resulted in the introduction of new brands across the multi-storey building, and sometimes even with branded sections or shop-in-shops. The curation and expertise of Isetan Men‘s is instantly evident upon entering the ground floor where an expanded Men’s Cosmetics department unfolds, replete with readily available professionals that offer skin consultations using the latest technology, in addition to stylists to help shoppers to navigate the tricky road to properly shape eyebrows and finding the right skin foundation. As for apparel items, the streetwear department sees the arrival of Human Made, Neighborhood and NikeLab, and at the so-called Men’s Creators section on the second floor it’s cult brands such as Balenciaga, Off-White, Heron Preston and newly launched Japanese label Fumito Ganryu are introduced.

The fourth floor is home to Men’s Luxury, and it’s here where the opulent styles of Christian Louboutin, Loewe, Jimmy Choo, and Berluti can be found in dedicated sections next to other offerings. Customer service may have always been top-notch at Isetan Men’s, but even that has seen an upgrade with the introduction of a new reservation service which can be operated through an app from a smartphone or tablet. Reaching out to a personal shopper, bespoke suiting, and other concierge services are now readily available at your fingertips.