Seoul may nowadays have the planet’s most innovative retail scene, but the sheer size, sophistication and affluence of Tokyo still makes it very relevant place to be present for many a leading global brand, including lululemon. The Vancouver-based athletic wear brand has just inaugurated another global flagship store in the sprawling Japanese capital, following much-publicised openings in New York City, Paris and Seoul. The company has secured 1,220 sqm. (13,132 sq.ft.) spread across two floors of YM Square Omotesando, a modern mixed-use building smack on bustling Omotesando dori. Designed in-house, the store settings see lululemon‘s latest retail design codes which revolve around the themes of Movement, Connection and Sensory Engagement, and the flagship store aims to be a meeting place for the lululemon fan base where they can experience the brand’s values through its wide product range products, but also through community and art.

And speaking of art, the two floors feature three art pieces created through collaboration between artists and craftspeople based in the Land of the Rising Sun. Each piece takes cues from Meiji Jingu shrine, Yoyogi Park, and Harajuku, expressing the unique character and energy of the area surrounding the store, including the richness of nature, the vibrancy of the community where people gather, and the highly creative fashion culture. The ground floor window sees a logo object, created by Torafu Architects and furniture brand Karimoku, and which is inspired by the forest of Meiji Jingu shrine. The object is made by layering six types of wood from trees that grow in the aforementioned forest. Also on the ground floor, situated behind the sales counter,, shoppers will find a collaborative artwork by artist Taku Bannai and Awagami Factory, a washi manufacturer based in Tokushima. Set in a recessed wall section, the artwork is inspired by Yoyogi Park, featuring collage techniques on washi which depict the richness of the community that gathers here.

The top floor is adorned with an artwork by artist Maito Otake and Vintage Clothing. The installation art piece is inspired by the Harajuku neighbourhood, and takes cues from both its bold and ever-evolving fashion culture.and yoga’s Balasana pose. Vintage clothing pieces, including items actually collected in the area, is hand-woven, expressing a landscape where the relationship between the body and clothing, and between people and the city, intersects. As said, the lululemon flagship store is a hub of sorts for the fanbase, and as such, it’ll offer a rotation of experiences and events. The ground floor comes with a community map of the neighbourhood, introducing yoga studios and running stations, as well as cafes and restaurants where shoppers can pit stop before or after exercising. The new lululemon flagship store carries the full range of women’s and men’s high-performance athletic wear, bags and accessories. Additionally, for the first time in Japan, a personalisation service is offered, allowing shoppers to engrave certain items. © superfuture