Beyond Nippon's borders
Undeniably, Japan’s biggest export is coolture. From Comme to cosplay, Japanese culture and creativity still inspire and evoke desire.
While brands such as Muji and Uniqlo have successfully expanded beyond Japan, there are still a lot of homegrown labels that deserve a spotlight in the global marketplace.
Beams
Founded in 1976, Beams is one of the pioneers of the select shop — a boutique that houses different fashion labels all in line with the brand’s identity. Nowadays we hear a lot about buyers as curators of our retail experience and lifestyle, and this is exactly what Beams is all about. In more than three decades, Beams has managed to stay fresh and significant appealing to shoppers who want items that are in tune with the times.
http://www.beams.co.jp/en/index.html
Tabio
I never really cared about socks or tights until I bought a pair from Tabio.
It made me realize that tights do last more than a few wears — the grey ones I got two years ago are still alive, a testament to the durability of Tabio.
The brand segments its offerings ranging from fashion-focused to athletic socks, all of which adhere to a battery of tests at Tabio’s manufacturing plant.
Recently, it opened stores in the UK and Paris, so it won’t be long until many of us can invest in their quality chaussettes.
Freshness Burger
When we think of a Japanese burger, Mos Burger’s (or in our case, Sango) tomato onion concoction comes to mind.
Freshness keeps it simple — with no special sauce or Japanese twist, its only secret is using fresh ingredients.
It adds pumpkin to the buns to create a natural yellow tint and uses only Hokkai-Kogane potatoes from Hokkaido to make French fries.
It’s one of the few “fast-food” shops with an organic approach to sourcing, preparing and serving food. There’s no doubt we need more of that food philosophy on our tables.
http://www.freshnessburger.co.jp/
IPSA
Ipsa, and its star product the Metabolizer, is probably the best-kept secret of Japanese cosmetics giant Shiseido.
While Shiseido is expanding — recently adding Bare Escentuals to its portfolio — it seems like they’re keeping Ipsa domestic.
In an overcrowded cosmetics market, what makes Ipsa special?
Not only does the logo by Swiss typography expert Helmut Schmid attract attention, but the fact that one product does it all is somewhat liberating.
Time to say goodbye to the three-step regimen we’ve all been schooled in, and yet have the great skin we all aspire to have.
Patisserie Sadaharu Aoki
We’ve come to expect a lot when in comes to desserts, yet Patisserie Sadaharu Aoki’s creations just go above and beyond.
At 23, he moved to France to work and become the full-fledged pâtissier he is today.
Since opening his first atelier in Paris 1998, he has served fashion brands like Chanel and Ungaro, as well as ANA Business class passengers.
Like his boutiques, Aoki’s desserts are minimalist in style yet full of character.
Porter
Stylish in its simplicity, Porter designs are truly timeless.
Launched in Tokyo by Yoshida Kaban, the brand has managed to create something practical, of good quality and desirable (just ask the discriminating editors at Monocle). The name itself implies that these bags are meant to carry stuff and not just act as an accessory. If you’re looking for a boyish alternative to your Longchamp Le Pliage, Porter won’t disappoint. Find them in Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan.
