Dezeen Magazine

Otsuka-Gofukuten kimono store by Yusuke Seki

Japanese designer Yusuke Seki plans to bring traditional Japanese dress back into fashion with this modern kimono shop in Kyoto (+ slideshow).

OtsukaGofukuten kimono store by Yusuke Seki

The concept for the Otsuka-Gofukuten shop is to simplify the process of having a kimono made-to-measure, encouraging more people to wear the historic robes day-to-day. "Japanese people would wear kimonos in everyday life in bygone eras, nowadays we only wear for special occasions," say the design team.

OtsukaGofukuten kimono store by Yusuke Seki

Yusuke Seki planned the store with three separate displays areas, allowing a clear distinction between different styles and price ranges to make the experience easier for the customer.

OtsukaGofukuten kimono store by Yusuke Seki

Brightly coloured and patterned fabrics are presented on industrial wooden shelves at the centre of the store, while more material is hung from metal frames and some is laid out in wooden drawers.

OtsukaGofukuten kimono store by Yusuke Seki

Ageing ceramic tiles line the walls, serving as a reminder of the 70-year history of the building that was previously used as a tofu retailer. Rather than retaining the smooth surface of these tiles, Seki chose to chisel away at each one to create a similar texture to crumpled fabric.

OtsukaGofukuten kimono store by Yusuke Seki

Accessories are placed on low tables, while painted stones are scattered across the floor. "The main design concept uses aspects from the past and introduces new hand craft towards a new design for the future," say the team.

OtsukaGofukuten kimono store by Yusuke Seki

A concrete staircase leads up to the first floor, where an exhibition area displays a mixture of garments and art.

OtsukaGofukuten kimono store by Yusuke Seki

Yusuke Seki is a Tokyo-based designer who set up his studio in 2008. Since then he's worked on a couple of sweet shops for Papabubble, including one in collaboration with Spanish designer with Jaime Hayon.

OtsukaGofukuten kimono store by Yusuke Seki

Other Japanese shop interiors completed recently include the flagship for fashion brand Takeo Kikuchi and a Starbucks coffee shop designed like a library.

OtsukaGofukuten kimono store by Yusuke Seki

Photography is by Takumi Ota.

OtsukaGofukuten kimono store by Yusuke Seki

Here's a project description from the designer's studio:


Otsuka-Gofukuten - evolution of traditional kimono store in Kyoto.

This building was constructed 70 years ago, and has been a Tofu (Japanese bean curd) store in the past.

OtsukaGofukuten kimono store by Yusuke Seki

Gofuku (another world: Kimono) is a traditional cloth which has varying price, range, qualities, which can sometimes confuse the customer. Even Japanese people would wear Kimonos in everyday life in bygone eras, nowadays we only wear for special occasions, as it has a recent reputation as a garment reserved for high society to wear to special, formal events.

OtsukaGofukuten kimono store by Yusuke Seki

The store purpose is to re-introduce Kimono culture. It has a clear 3-step price system to allow new customers to choose the suitable product, and to compare to other pre-existing traditional kimono stores. On the second floor, it opens up as a gallery space with kimono related modern art and a design works exhibition. The main design concept uses aspects from the past and introduces new hand craft towards a new design for the future.

OtsukaGofukuten kimono store by Yusuke Seki

The interior design consists of 3 types of showcases according to the price range, frame and type of composite of Kimono. The other kimono products are displayed on original designed shelves with knotted feet. The design method explores diachronic aspects such as materials, stories, location, architecture and function to translate and add value through design approach.

OtsukaGofukuten kimono store by Yusuke Seki

The white tiles are from original Tofu store. The walls in all directions are covered by white tiles Yusuke has curved to add new textures, which give the appearance of new surfaces from the layered inside material. This process makes the accurate grid become more characteristic and organic like a hand drawing. The coloured stones are incorporated under the floor, and original old fashion glasses are fixed into the windows to demonstrate the history of the building.

OtsukaGofukuten kimono store by Yusuke Seki

All the aspects have a story and contribute to the overall store details. They take on a new life, having been a relic of the past - mirroring the theme of this new approach to Kimono design and wear.

OtsukaGofukuten kimono store by Yusuke Seki

Above: original building before renovation