Alexander McQueen opens first Japanese flagship

Alexander McQueen has unveiled its first flagship in Japan, a 4,200 square foot unit located in Tokyo’s

Aoyama district, placing the London-based fashion brand alongside the likes of Balenciaga, Givenchy, Prada and Marc Jacobs.

The flagship’s retail concept was conceived by the brand’s creative director, Sarah Burton, along with architect David Collins, and includes nods to the McQueen label’s history with items including the famous 'armadillo' shoe etched onto bespoke plaster panel mouldings. Featuring two floors the flagship houses the brands men’s and womenswear collections, including catwalk looks, ready-to-wear and accessories.

“The environment seems a good fit for McQueen — it’s quite an open, contemporary environment, which we like,” Jonathan Akeroyd, Chief Executive Officer at Alexander McQueen told WWD. “Of all the areas in Tokyo, I think that was the natural fit for our brand. We’ve taken our time to make sure we get the right space.”

Prior to opening the Aoyama flagship, the label’s presence in Japan was primarily through its shops-in-shop in department stores, which the company operates, as well as its standalone accessories store that it opened last year in Tokyo’s Roppongi Hills district.