On the Scene in Tokyo: Locals Talk About the Latest Trends in Their City

Tokyo and shopping go together like sushi and sake. There are stores to suit every style, every age, and every taste: Harajuku and Shibuya are the places where teenagers and twenty-somethings come together in search of the latest fashion trends. Vintage lovers can be found in Daikanyama and Shimokitazawa. The well-stocked secondhand stores sell vintage designer fashion from Europe and Japan, sometimes at really good prices.

For people like me who like things more classic and upmarket, Omotesando, Aoyama, and Ginza are the best places for great outfits and accessories. These districts are Tokyo’s answer to the Champs-Élysées, so to speak.

I am most often seen at Pleats Please, the light and comfortable line from the world-famous Issey Miyake brand, known for its innovative pleating techniques.

Popular Japanese fashion labels

I also love shopping at Comme des Garçons, a Japanese label that has also conquered the international catwalks and shop windows. If I’m looking for something a little more unusual and elaborate, I like to browse Lepo Tokyo and Tadashi Shoji. The cuts and fabrics of the dresses are really special. Less known, but just as stylish, are the fashion labels Studios and Edition. Both brands have several stores in Tokyo.

The best places for beauty products

As a makeup artist, I am also interested in cosmetics and hair in my private life. I can highly recommend the Mey Tokyo hair salon, where, unlike in many other salons, English is spoken. My favorite place to store for cosmetics is @cosme, the Japanese equivalent of Sephora. It’s a huge store with several floors. There are even product awards and rankings as well as a separate section for product tests. A mecca for all beauty fans.

About:

Hanako Ishii is a make-up artist and founder of Decorus Beauty, the first and only curated make-up accessories store in Tokyo. Hanako Ishii studied special effects and beauty makeup in Hollywood. Back in her hometown, Hanako Ishii offers professional hair and makeup styling for fashion shoots. She also styles women before events such as a visit to the opera or a chic dinner.