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Acne Studios has unveiled its most ambitious retail project yet — a striking three-story flagship in Tokyo’s Aoyama district, one of the city’s most design-forward neighborhoods. Positioned directly across from the iconic Prada Aoyamastore, this new space is less about commerce and more about spatial storytelling, blending brutalist architecture, material experimentation, and the label’s ongoing creative dialogue with Japan.
A collaboration between creative director Jonny Johansson and Stockholm-based architecture studio Halleroed, the store reads like a sculptural installation. Visitors are guided through a series of immersive environments, where pink granite walls and flooring meet elevated minimalism and urban density, referencing the layered texture of Tokyo’s built environment.
Inside, every surface and object plays with contrast and tactility. Designer Max Lamb contributes woven seating wrapped in high-gloss pink patent leather, creating a tension between softness and synthetic shine. The lighting — custom-built by Benoit Lalloz — introduces a rhythmic, almost cinematic atmosphere. Completing the mood are sculptural mannequins by British artist Daniel Silver, blurring the lines between retail display and contemporary art.
But the real heart of the space lies in Johansson’s collaboration with Japanese ceramicist Takuro Kuwata. Known for his explosive, color-splashed forms, Kuwata brings a visceral energy to the store through ceramic installations and a limited-edition capsule collection of reimagined Acne pieces — exclusive to the Aoyama location. The capsule includes one-of-a-kind denim, acting as both garment and artifact.
Across its three floors, the flagship stocks Acne Studios’ full men’s and women’s collections, spanning ready-to-wear, accessories, footwear, and eyewear. More than just a store, this new opening is a physical manifestation of the brand’s evolving identity, anchoring Acne Studios firmly within Tokyo’s creative ecosystem.
