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Uniqlo Coming To San Francisco via Refinery29
Ok, I am not a religious person, but I must say “Hallelujah!” Yes, yes, yes! My wishes have been fulfilled! My absolute, most favorite clothing brand of all time, UNIQLO, will be opening several new store locations throughout the world within the near future, & guess what?! My local city San Francisco is on this list of locations!!! Yes, that means that my all-time favorite clothing brand from Japan will be opening a new store near me, sometime in the future.
For those of you who have never heard of this brand, UNIQLO is a Japanese casual wear designer, manufacturer & retailer with affordable prices. UNIQLO’s fashion style has been compared to GAP clothing, but with the retail price tag equivalent of H&M. What started as an affordable unique clothing brand only sold in Japan (as are most Japanese clothing brands), UNIQLO has expanded its International branches & now have retail stores all around the world including: Hong Kong, mainland China, Thailand, Russia, Taiwan, etc. with it’s only U.S. retail store residing in New York.
Right now the very famous Japanese clothing brand UNIQLO is conducting a major expansion project & is expecting to open more flagship stores & smaller shops in various cities around the world including: New York (Manhattan), Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Connecticut, New Jersey & London. Some, or most of these stores will most likely not open any time in the near future, as UNIQLO is also geared to create a new clothing collection with Lady Gaga’s stylist: Nicola Formichetti (which will probably debut first).
Here are some of my quick thoughts on UNIQLO’s expansion project:
- More retail stores are scheduled to open in New York, especially in the Manhattan district. I personally, don’t understand why this should or needs to be done, since Manhattan already has a 5-level flagship store that is more than capable of meeting consumer demand.
- I’m not quite sure how the New Jersey store will come to be, since most New Jersey-ites schlep themselves across the Hudson river all the way to New York to do most of their major retail shopping.
- Connecticut? Really?! Well, I guess if that’s what you want, but I don’t really see the point. (Please refer back to my New Jersey comment.)
- I don’t have much to say about the “windy city” Chicago, since I don’t know much about that city itself…but I’ve heard it’s a growing fashion hotspot, so I can kind of see how a UNIQLO retail store might work out there. We will have to see after its first year’s sales stats.
Last but not least…
- I heard about the rumor of UNIQLO planning on opening a California retail location since last year, & my immediate (instant) thought was that Los Angeles would be the first California city to have a retail store. I think I am on track with the correct prediction. I just have a gut feeling about this. Los Angeles has a larger Japanese population compared to any Bay Area city near San Francisco, including S.F. (not that ethnicity should matter). Also, Los Angeles is considered to be one of the largest fashion capitals in the world. So, I really wouldn’t be surprised if Los Angeles opened up a retail store first. It would make more sense. In fact, I would be more surprised if San Francisco opened up a retail store before Los Angeles.
It doesn’t matter if it’s not anytime soon, just as long as they do actually open a store location in my local city. I just can’t believe that this rumor is now confirmed to be a fact. I have visited the New York Manhattan flagship location, & the various retail locations around Shanghai, China. Also, I often shop at the various retail stores scattered around Tokyo (in Japan), including their exclusive t-shirt shop in Harajuku called UT UNIQLO…& I can definitely say that…being one of UNIQLO’s biggest fans…I am so overjoyed to hear this exciting news!!
Photo © 2011 Hypebeast
Shown above are the visuals of NEIGHBORHOOD’s latest brick and mortar space in Tokyo’s vivacious district – Shibuya. This latest foray marks the brand’s second retail space which had its inauguration last September 23, 2011. Prior to the opening, some exclusive and collaborated pieces have surfaced in anticipation of the remarkable event. The dim-lighted interior of the store syncs to the dark and rebellious aesthetic that is pretty much what we expect from NEIGHBORHOOD. Stocking a diverse selection of apparels and accessories, be sure to stop by at the brand’s new Shibuya branch.
( 1-8-13 Jinnan, Senjou Building, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Japan 150-0041 )
Photo & Text via NEIGHBORHOOD Shibuya Store Opening | Hypebeast.
For those of you who don’t know, NEIGHBORHOOD (a.k.a. NBHD) is a Japanese urban streetwear clothing brand which was founded by Shinsuke Takizawa in the early 1990s. Following his passion for motorcycles and the counter culture that was heating up in Tokyo, Shinsuke started this clothing brand modeling military, outdoors, trad & biker styles.
The concept of “basic clothing created by digesting unique interpretations of elements from motorcycles, military, outdoor, trad, etc. and also suggesting this lifestyle” is the base for all products and projects which NEIGHBORHOOD is involved with, and always lives in the themes for the seasons. — via Neighborhood.jp
Shinsuke, along with other notable (& equally famous) Japanese urban streewear designers such as: Hiroshi Fujiwara (Fragment Design), Tetsu Nishiyama (WTaps), & NIGO (A Bathing Ape) originally based their respective brands out of the “Ura-Hara” neighborhood within the Harajuku district in Tokyo.
The area known as “Ura-Hara”, back streets of Harajuku, is a center of Japanese fashion for younger people – brands sugh as A Bathing Ape and Undercover have shops in the area. Ura-Hara is another section of Harajuku, which caters to a mostly male population interested in a Hip-hop, graffiti, and skater fashion and culture. Ura-Hara is seen as the opposite of Harajuku in that it’s more hidden and reserved. – via Wikipedia
I’m so happy & excited that Shinsuke will be opening another store location for his brand (& in Shibuya no less). I love his clothing brand, & I still purchase his clothes even though he has stopped producing his line in women’s sizes. Even though most of Shinsuke’s clothing lines are more masculine in design, there are also quite a few items that can be uni-sex & worn by women (i.e. t-shirts & sweatshirts). Shinsuke’s designs are both practical & daring. Some items are classic & versatile, & can be worn with both formal & casual styles. Some items seem just plain ridiculous, but you want it anyway because it is fun & whimsical (& you can feel as though you just bought something outrageously indulgent without feeling the guilty wallet syndrome.) Most of all, this brand is highly practical & functional, & can be infused into your daily life with ease. My fiancee is probably the biggest fan of NEIGHBORHOOD that I have ever met & has a large collection of clothing items & home goods that we both share & use everyday. My fiancee can attest that this brand is not only functional, practical & sleek, but it is also fun, stylish, cool & edgy.
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Rabbits & Foxes 
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