It’s been 15 years since the Swedish fashion house Acne Studios first landed in Tokyo. The brand has relocated and expanded their city flagship, now anchored in a prime corner of Aoyama’s bustling shopping district. Spanning three floors, the new store is wrapped in pink granite, a quiet homage to the brand’s iconic millennial pink colour, while its monochrome interiors seem carved directly from the stone, creating a sculptural, cohesive space. Drawing from the architectural language of Tokyo’s streets, the store balances local inspiration with Acne Studios’ global design identity. Playful, subversive, yet inviting, creative director Jonny Johansson continues his creative partnership with Swedish architecture studio Halleroed to see the united vision across the globe, with a signature Japanese touch.
The store additionally emphasises having a serene and artistic atmosphere. Max Lamb designed the upholstery for the store, using woven textiles paired with glossy pink patent leather, the pieces create a striking contrast between texture and sheen, while Benoit Lalloz designed the custom strip lighting, further doubling down on the in-store experience.
“Japan has always held a special place in both my heart and in the story of Acne Studios. We’ve been in Aoyama for 15 years now, and there’s something special about that area. It inspired us to create something that feels like a home — welcoming, open, almost like a creative school. We wanted it to feel more democratic, inviting.” says Johansson.
To celebrate the occasion, contemporary ceramicist Takuro Kuwata, recognised for fusing classical ceramic craftsmanship with radical, sculptural experimentation, works with Jonny Johansson to reinterpret several iconic Acne pieces, including the Camero bag, several small leather goods, and a pair of trompe-l’œil denim jeans. Rejecting the restrained aesthetics of wabi-sabi, he instead embraces bold colours, fragmented forms, lustrous glazes, metallic finishes, and glossy drips that crystallise across the surfaces of his works, which are infused into the new capsule collection.
Several guests attended the opening event, among the likes: J-Pop girl group f4ve, NCT’s very own Johnny Suh, Thai actor Meenicha, Dai Nakai and the illustrious Naomi Watanabe came to commemorate the launch. Acne Studios is clearly in awe of Tokyo, and their commitment to the city (and the culture!) is no short of remarkable.
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