– The Tommy Hilfiger Group, which is wholly owned by PVH Corp. (NYSE: PVH), is pleased to announce the April 18, 2012 opening of its newest international flagship in Tokyo’s prestigious Omotesando shopping district. Situated at the crossroads of Omotesando and Meiji Dori, one the most visible and highly trafficked retail corners in Tokyo, the new 11,000 square foot/1,015 square meter store is the brand’s first Asian flagship, and largest store in Asia.
―I am thrilled to open our first Asian flagship in the heart of Tokyo,‖ said Tommy Hilfiger. ―Since launching the Tommy Hilfiger brand in 1985, Japan has been one of my favorite travel destinations, and a great source of personal inspiration. Omotesando is the ideal location for us - it’s a destination for both Japanese consumers, and the international traveler who embraces our brand’s classic American cool lifestyle and preppy sensibility.‖
―We are pleased to showcase the complete Tommy Hilfiger lifestyle in our spectacular new Tokyo store,‖ said Fred Gehring, Chief Executive Office of the Tommy Hilfiger Group. ―Tokyo is one of the world’s most important fashion capitals. Creating a flagship experience in Japan was a priority for us, and it’s particularly exciting to have such a visible presence on Omotesando, a globally-renowned retail destination.‖
In a first for Japan, Tommy Hilfiger’s signature men’s and women’s runway collections will be available at the new Tokyo store. Manufactured in Italy to the highest design standards, the Tommy Hilfiger runway collection is the brand’s most elevated expression of American sportswear with a twist. The Tommy Hilfiger men’s tailored clothing program will be introduced for the first time in Japan at the Omotesando flagship. Bespoke in nature, the program will feature the finest in European fabrics, handmade buttons and signature Tommy Hilfiger details, all in a Japanese fit. The new store will also showcase an enhanced collection of Tommy Hilfiger men’s and women’s sportswear, Hilfiger Denim, childrenswear, footwear and accessories. To commemorate the opening, a collection of limited edition products was created including accessories featuring regimental stripe patterns found in the Tommy Hilfiger archives, preppy totes bearing the Omotesando store crest and an assortment of Americana-themed vintage products.
Covering three floors, the store design reflects Tommy Hilfiger’s classic American cool aesthetic, combining old world elements with modern and vintage details. Featuring a welcoming lit brass step portal, the striking façade is inspired by legendary American architect, Frank Lloyd Wright, who first traveled to Japan in 1905 and frequently referenced Japanese art as a major creative influence. His passion for Japanese art and design led to one of his most important commissions, The Imperial Hotel in Tokyo. The Tommy Hilfiger flagship store showcases many of the organic design principles and strong architectural elements seen in Lloyd Wright’s work, such as vertical stacked stone walls with horizontal stucco.
One of the most exciting visual elements of the Tokyo store is a three-dimensional Tommy Hilfiger flag sculpture comprised of vintage ―Americana‖—including a navy blue 1960’s Cadillac tail fin, a white Fender amp, flashing lights, and a working vintage TV. The one-of-a-kind art piece is hung alongside an innovative LCD gallery comprised of 13 screens, three of which will air footage shot at Tommy Hilfiger flagship stores around the world. The other screens will show images of Tommy Hilfiger customers shot in New York, Paris and London as well as original video content. An authentic three storey New York fire escape in green wrought iron provides a striking design feature that can be seen from both inside and outside the store. Shipped directly from the Big Apple to Tokyo, it offers a timeless glimpse of urban New York life. A cast iron staircase, inspired by those seen in New York’s Soho district, connects each floor.
On the expansive ground floor, the entrance to the menswear area is framed with paneled arches and brass detailing offset by pale oak floors in a herringbone pattern. Walnut paneling defines the masculine space where the men’s runway, sportswear and accessories collections will be showcased. A Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired fireplace accented by anchor-style andirons, a Florence Knoll mid-century credenza and repurposed leather wrestling benches add to the masculine and clubby feel. Vintage metal signs, including a super-sized lock and key, fountain pen, wrench and straight razor, are displayed throughout for added visual interest. An eco-friendly, LED-lit staircase leads to the first floor housing the women’s runway, sportswear and accessories as well as the childrenswear collections. Glossy white oak cabinetry and colorful, over-dyed rugs reflect a more feminine and youthful, contemporary design. The children’s area also showcases vintage store signage including an oversized ice cream cone and candy apple that previously hung outside a sweet shop in the American Southwest. Reclaimed children’s toy playground horses are among the other unexpected elements of Americana that add charm to the space. The lower level Hilfiger Denim area accessed by the original New York City fire escape is a mix of rustic and mid-century elements including a table made from repurposed basketball court flooring, a collection of vintage wooden office chairs and Victorian-era gaslights retro-fit to Japanese standards. Sourced from around the world, the one-of-a-kind display and decorative pieces featured in the new Tokyo flagship are a perfect reflection of the brand’s classic American cool DNA.
There are currently over 1,000 Tommy Hilfiger stores worldwide, with freestanding stores located in New York, London, Paris, Milan, Amsterdam, Berlin, Brussels, Barcelona, Vienna, Hong Kong, Buenos Aires, St. Tropez, Instanbul, Antwerp, Munich, Athens, Madrid and Miami, among others.
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