NikeLab to open first retail location in Japan

By

Kate Dingwall

Published
Dec 3, 2016

NikeLab is opening its first Japanese outpost, named NikeLab MA5, this week in Aoyama, Tokyo.

The Dover Street Market flagship in Ginza, Tokyo, currently houses a NikeLab pop-up. This will be the seventh stand-alone NikeLab location in the world, with Paris, Hong Kong, Shanghai, London, New York, Milan, and now, Tokyo, all hosting locations by the concept Nike brand.

Four of Rei Kawakubo-run Dover Street Market locations also house NikeLab concept spaces.

The new MA5 features a unique sound created exclusively for the store, and floors made of Nike Grind- an innovative recycled flooring made of premium recycled and regenerated materials. The retail space was formerly the home of a public swimming pool, which is reflected throughout the interipr design of engineer and long-time Nike Lab collaborator, Arthur Huang.

The store takes cues from traditional Japanese culture. Tatami mat floors are found throughout the store, and locally sourced wood is used in display cubes and digitally-powered, decorative walls in the fitting rooms.

The store will carry the entire NikeLab collection of womenswear, menswear, footwear, and accessories.

Launched in 2014, NikeLab is an initiative by Nike to combine the American sportswear giant’s technological innovations with the brightest minds in sport, fashion, and technology. Operating under the concept of sport meets fashion, NikeLab has collaborated with some of the biggest names in fashion, including Jun Takahashi of Undercover, Sacai, Olivier Roustieng of Balmain, Stone Island, and Riccardo Tisci.