Tag Archives: Design

Tokyo, Japan: Shopping and Architecture in Roppongi

TOKYO CITY GUIDE: DISTRICT / ROPPONGI

Tokyo-Midtown-Roppongi-Shopping-1-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014

The refined Tokyo Midtown 

Incredible blue sky! I get in one of the six buildings of Tokyo Midtown, hosting the Suntory Museum of Art.

A luxury mall. Tasteful minimalist decoration, with staright light wooden and picture windows with a view to the small park. Zen feeling in the cosy atmosphere. 

Comfortable leather sofas to relax between two shops (exhausting shopping, lol!). Check out the high end multibrands Restir and The Cover Nippon for refined arts and crafts: beautiful fabrics for home, ceramics and traditional bags.

Tokyo-Midtown-Roppongi-Shopping-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014

For ceramics, I also recommend Asakusa small shops (a traditional district of Tokyo).

At the food level, stop at Toraya for the incredible look of the Japanese pastries (on the picture above)! I was so happy to find “my” Dean & Deluca too, soulful Soho! Could you believe it?

Then I sat in the small park under the sun. Lazy, lazy. Maybe tomorrow I’ll visit the Issey Miyake and Tadeo Ando‘s 21_21 Design Sight: “The first center in Japan dedicated to Design, where the creation process will be exhibited” (Issey Miyake).

The National Art Center Tokyo

Now I head to this amazing Museum with a glass wave front designed by the famous architect Kisho Kurukawa, located five minutes walk from Tokyo Midtown. 

Relaxing bright inside, thanks to the wooden in this all glass and concrete architecture. And big surprise: the two huge concrete cones in the hall! Finally I’ve more enjoyed these cones than the beautiful front! 

Tokyo-Roppongi-The National Art Center Tokyo-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014

At the Museum shop, I found an eclectic selection of art books and various items. My fav: some sushi USB keys and traditional bags of a young fashion designer.

After four hours in the big exhibitions halls, I need fresh air, greenery and blue sky (again!), let’s move back to Tokyo Midtown. Yes, the sky is so blue!

Photos : Mademoiselle Le K – copyright 2014, tous droits réservés.

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Metro station: Roppongi 

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Tokyo, Japon: Shopping et architecture à Roppongi

TOKYO CITY GUIDE : QUARTIER / ROPPONGI

Tokyo-Midtown-Roppongi-Shopping-1-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014

L’élégant Tokyo Midtown 

Quels ciel, luminosité! J’entre dans le cube bleu clair dans l’un des six bâtiments du complexe Tokyo Midtown qui abrite le Suntory Museum of Art. 

Un centre commercial à l’éclat mat du luxe contemporain. Déco minimaliste rythmée de boiseries rectilignes claires et de baies vitrées donnant sur un petit parc. Il flotte comme un courant de « zenitude » chic.

De çi de là, de confortables fauteuils en cuir sombre, parmi les boutiques feutrées. Le très pointu multimarque Restir et The Cover Nippon, pour un artisanat japonais raffiné : magnifiques tissus d’ameublement, céramiques et sacs traditionnels.

Tokyo-Midtown-Roppongi-Shopping-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014

Pour la céramique, j’aime surtout me perdre dans les petites boutiques d’Asakusa (un quartier traditionnel de Tokyo). 

A l’espace Food, vous devez absolument vous arrêter chez Toraya, pour les superbes pâtisseries japonaises (sur la photo ci-dessus). Pure joie aussi de retrouver « mon » Dean & Deluca, nostalgique Soho!

De l’air frais, du vert : buller dans le parc sous un soleil éclatant. Demain peut-être je visiterai le 21_21Design Sight d’Issey Miyakeet de l’architecte Tadeo Ando: « Il s’agit du premier établissement dédié au design au Japon, où sera exposé le processus de création » (Issey Miyake).

The National Art Center Tokyo   

Je me dirige maintenant vers cet étonnant musée avec une immense vague de verre en guise de façade, conçu par le célèbre architecte Kisho Kurukawa.

Situé à cinq minutes à pied de Tokyo Midtown, l’intérieur lumineux prête à la détente grâce aux boiseries qui réchauffent tout ce verre et béton brut.

Et l’excellente surprise : deux énormes cônes en béton dans le hall principal! Finalement ces deux cônes imposants m’ont plus plu encore que l’improbable façade!

Tokyo-Roppongi-The National Art Center Tokyo-Photo Mademoiselle Le K-copyright 2014

À la boutique du musée, je découvre une éclectique sélection de livres d’art et des objets divers. Mes préférés : certaines clés USB en forme de sushi et de très beaux sacs traditionnels d’une jeune créatrice de mode.

Après quatre heures dans les grandes salles d’expositions, j’ai besoin d’air frais, de verdure et de ciel bleu (encore!). Retour au mini parc de Tokyo Midtown. Oui, le ciel est si bleu! 

Photos : Mademoiselle Le K – copyright 2014, tous droits réservés. 

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Metro station: Roppongi 

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Shopping Design & Fashion in Zagreb, Croatia

Croatia Zagreb Shopping_1_Photo Mademoiselle Le K_copyright 2013

During my single day in Zagreb, 

I chose these shops in the city center which offer either creations of Croatian designers or iconic products that have conquered the world, as the tie, Gentlemen! I started to work in menswear (lol)! In short, no need to come shopping in Zagreb, to spin at the same global brands you can find at home!!  

1. Modus

Croatia Zagreb Shopping_2_Photo Mademoiselle Le K_copyright 2013

An accessory shop for home design. Mix of international brands and Croatian designers. I liked the tote bags (first picture): very cool souvenirs to bring as gifts. The picture 2 shows the Zagreb Design Week poster … Tkalčićeva 48, zagreb. Tel : +385 14 81 3470.

2. Maks Studio 

Croatia Zagreb Shopping_3_Photo Mademoiselle Le K_copyright 2013Croatia Zagreb Shopping_6_Photo Mademoiselle Le K_copyright 2013

Must do. In a light intimate courtyard, Macks Studio, the store and showroom of the Croatian designer Saša Maksimiljanović offers loose clothing with asymmetrical lines and as accessories some tribal-inspired jewelery. Teslina 9 (u dvoristu), 10000 Zagreb. Tel : +385 48 10 606.

3. Boudoir

Croatia Zagreb Shopping_11_Photo Mademoiselle Le K_copyright 2013Croatia Zagreb Shopping_10_Photo Mademoiselle Le K_copyright 2013

Intrigued by this dress on display (photo 1), I discovered the Boudoir, the store of the binoculars fashion designers, Morana Saračević et Martina Čičko Karapetric. Dresses of princesses for more evening than day  and a selection of hats. Radićeva 25. Telefon: +385 1 48-13-464.

4. Folk Trend

Croatia Zagreb Shopping_7_Photo Mademoiselle Le K_copyright 2013Croatia Zagreb Shopping_8A_Photo Mademoiselle Le K_copyright 2013

I don’t have a particular shop or market. I’ve just liked a lot the traditional embroidered blouses. I didn’t had time to find a shop with homemade blouses and gowns made ​​in Croatia. If you know some, send me an email or leave a comment.

5. Croata 

Croatia Zagreb Shopping_9_Photo Mademoiselle Le K_copyright 2013Croatia Zagreb Shopping_12_Photo Mademoiselle Le K_copyright 2013

In an old gallery in central Zagreb (picture 1), I discovered the origin of the tie at the Salon Croata. When the Croatian Light Cavalry went to Paris during the Thirty Years’ War (1618-1648), soldiers “used to tie lively-coloured scarves around their necks in a certain way”. And during the reign of Louis XIV, Parisians really enjoyed this new fashion accessory “in the Croatian way”. Subsequently, as you know, the cravat has become global ; ) Ilica 5 (Oktogon). Tel : +385 (1) 4812-726.

Photos : Mademoiselle Le K – copyright 2013, tous droits réservés. 

Informations

www.visitcroatia.beZagreb Tourist Board, www.zagrebtalks.com

Discover my whole trip in the CROATIA page and follow my TWITTER. ENJOY! I was hosted by the Office National Croate du Tourisme and obviously all my opinions are mine.

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Esplanade Zagreb: The Oleander Terrace and Le Bistro Esplanade  

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