Sneakersnstuff is another retailer going leaps and bounds since a major investor stepped in. Founded in Stockholm twenty years ago by Erik Fagerlind and Peter Jansson, the company has gained a sizeable global fanbase. The capital injection has allowed Sneakersnstuff to drastically expand its physical retail operations, and following the inauguration of standalone stores in a string of leading shopping destinations such as London, Paris, Berlin, New York City and Los Angeles, its latest and arguably most striking outpost has just opened its doors in Tokyo. The store comprises of three buildings, all designed by Swedish design studio and longtime collaborator Bofink, and encompasses the former premises of the Ron Herman store at Log Road Daikanyama, a compact low-rise mall complex built on top of the old Tokyu line railway tracks in the city’s Daikanyama shopping area. The chosen design codes pair Scandinavian minimalism with distinct Japanese touches, resulting in playful yet highly naesthetic settings. The Sneakersnstuff main store section takes cues from both Japanese cultural heritage and futuristic Japan.
Interestingly, everything is handcrafted, and a string of artists were commissioned specific pieces which contribute fully to the eclectic design theme. Artist Christer Björkman created a wood sofa inspired by traditional Japanese chairs which incorporates Nike sneakers and the Tärnsjö tannery made a large Godzilla table in embossed leather which can be used as a seat to try on shoes, Zen tables featuring Nike Air Force 1 patterns, a Kotatsu table with a handmade purple silk duvet, and a fitting room with accents such as tatami rugs and lanterns, and much more. The floor comprises of wood and lava tiles—fading from red, orange and black wood to greyscale and black lava tiles with casted bronze details. The second building also accommodates a retail space, and here, the setting is very much rooted in modernity, and is awash with references of hugely popular Japanese anime and cartoons, such as Astro Boy and Sailor Moon.
The space is defined by bold and whimsical furnishings, notably designer John Buck‘s Astro Boy-inspired table, comprising of three-metre long matt silver structure accentuated by chrome details, a display wall featuring Sailor Moon‘s iconic yellow hair in silicon, and an organic-shaped display with a speckled blue top. Last but not least, flooring in a bright pink hue ties in all furnishings. The so-called SNS Café, managed in collab with quirky Japanese coffee parlour and café Camelback, is a firm nod to Swedish design and the setting includes custom-made tiles illustrated by Mander, custom chairs by Artek upholstered with M90 camo leather seating, and a handmade glass lamp by Simon Klenell. The menu lists both Swedish and Japanese bites, in addition to a range of coffee concoctions. Also to be found here is a gift shop brimming with exclusive Sneakernstuff Tokyo items, a dedicated section for cool art shows, and a large bookshelf with a curated selection of books to read while at the café. The SNS Café comes with an outdoor terrace where to sit back and chill when weather permits.
Sneakersnstuff
Log Road Daikanyama, Daikanyama-cho 13-1 (Daikanyama)
Tokyo 150-0034
Telephone: +81 3 68688801
Daily 11-8
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