New York, NY — Tiffany & Co. to embark on a redesign of its Tokyo flagship store, the largest Tiffany store in Japan, which is set for completion in November 2008. The design reflects Tiffany’s reputation as a world-premier jeweler and is the vision of noted Japanese architect Kengo Kuma and his design firm Kengo Kuma Associates. Mr. Kuma said that his design inspiration is “a jewelry-like architecture that echoes Tiffany’s visual identity.”
Michael Christ, president of Tiffany & Co. Japan, said, “This is the first time that Tiffany has partnered with a Japanese architect. We are excited to work with Mr. Kuma, who is internationally renowned and who captures the refined quality of Japanese design to create a perfect expression of Tiffany style.”
The exterior design will be composed of honeycomb glass panels that will be mounted to the building. Mr. Kuma conceives this image as a “facet cut surface that generates a diversity of light” and “an elegant and brilliant façade that celebrates the city.”
The panels of glass will be canted like facets on a diamond. During the day they will reflect the bustling Ginza streetscape. In the evening they will be lit to add a new dynamic to the dramatic evening streetscape of the Ginza district.
The interior of the Tiffany store, which occupies three floors of the building located at 2-7-17 Ginza, will incorporate elements of the exterior design with an emphasis on rich textures and colors to convey a contemporary atmosphere. A feature of the interior design will be a two-story atrium entrance and customer entertainment spaces.
The store will have the broadest selection of Tiffany designs in Japan. Among the array of TIFFANY & CO. collections that will be offered are the jeweler’s celebrated diamonds and engagement jewelry in platinum and 18K gold settings; collections of exclusive Tiffany designers Elsa Peretti, Paloma Picasso, Jean Schlumberger and Frank Gehry; watches; fine and sterling silver jewelry; men’s accessories and gifts.
Tiffany & Co. operates jewelry and specialty retail stores and manufactures products through its subsidiary corporations. Its principal subsidiary is Tiffany and Company. The Company operates TIFFANY & CO. retail stores and boutiques in the Americas, Asia-Pacific and Europe and engages in direct selling through Internet, catalog and business gift operations. Other operations include consolidated results from ventures operated under trademarks or trade names other than TIFFANY & CO. Additional information can be found on Tiffany’s web site, tiffany.com or tiffany.co.jp.
TIFFANY & CO. and TIFFANY are trademarks of Tiffany and Company.
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