SHOP.CASE — Jil Sander Ginza

Fashion, Retail

The newly opened Jil Sander flagship in Tokyo’s Ginza district, designed by the architecture firm Casper, Mueller, Kneer, is a testament to the power of materials. CMK came to prominence designing stores for Celine under Phoebe Philo, including its Ginza flagship, whose arresting façade is still one of the premier shopping neighborhood’s attractions. With the Jil Sander store, CMK continues its tradition of letting the materials do the talking. The shop is refreshingly devoid of ornamentation, yet it feels warm and inviting. With their intricate, rich textures, marble, travertine, and concrete become ornaments in themselves. Details like a Dieter Rams classic Braun sound system provide subtle nods to the history of minimalist German design, not unrelated to Jil Sander’s origin. Last but not least, the layout of the shop provides a ton of open space, proving once again that today space is the ultimate luxury.

OP-ED: THE OTHER REASON WHY LUXURY FASHION SALES ARE TANKING

Features/Op-Ed, Retail

Luxury fashion sales are in the doldrums. It seems that no one, with the exception of several brands that cater to the truly rich, has been spared. Sales for mass market luxury brands – and it is time that we started talking about “mass market luxury fashion” as a market category – like Gucci and Burberry are dropping by double digits every quarter. Even Dior and Chanel have not been spared.