Issey Miyake unveils new flagship store in Paris

A new chapter is unfolding for Issey Miyake in Paris. The luxury Japanese ready-to-wear brand has recently bid adieu to its flagship store on 11 Rue Royale, where it had settled in 2008, following nearly two decades at Place des Vosges. This strategic move solidifies its presence in the prestigious 8th arrondissement of the French capital, particularly within the Golden Triangle.
 

The new address, 26 Rue François 1er, holds historical significance for the neighborhood, as it housed the headquarters and studios of Europe 1 radio station from its inception in 1955 until 2018. It’s worth nothing that, for the first time ever, this building will be transformed into a boutique. Only the facade has been preserved, while the interior space of approximately 360 square meters has been completely restructured and renovated, benefiting from ample natural light streaming in through windows overlooking the courtyard.
 
Issey Miyake set out to create a boutique experience that is truly distinct and innovative. The interior, crafted by the visionary designer Tokujin Yoshioka, exudes a modern, minimalist, and luminous aesthetic. Spread across two levels, the space is characterized by two walls adorned in vibrant anodized orange aluminum, creating a striking contrast within the otherwise pristine white decor. This infusion of warm and vibrant color adds a touch of futuristic energy to the ambiance.

The brand’s new Parisian home will be inaugurated during the opening of Fashion Week on February 26. The forthcoming boutique will house the entire spectrum of the Miyake universe, including the main Issey Miyake line, the pleated clothing collections Pleats Please and Homme Plissé, the experimental A-POC Able line, the boundary-pushing 132 5. collection that fuses geometry and innovation, and, of course, the iconic range of geometric Bao Bao bags. Additionally, the boutique will offer a curated selection of fragrances, timepieces, and eyewear.
 
This new address is poised to catapult the brand to greater prominence, especially in contrast to its previous location, which was tucked away within the Galerie Royale on Rue Royale, offering limited street visibility. This addition complements the three existing Pleats Please Issey Miyake stores in the city, including the prominent Boulevard Saint-Germain boutique and the two corners within Galeries Lafayette and Printemps Haussmann.

In total, Issey Miyake boasts 277 points of sale worldwide, primarily concentrated in Japan and Asia, as well as across Europe in cities such as Paris, London, Milan, Zurich, and New York.