© Bottega Veneta

Following a stopover in Shanghai, Bottega Veneta‘s unapologetically ostentatious The Chain sculpture injects Tokyo‘s old money shopping area of Ginza with a serious dose of bling. Since the arrival of Daniel Lee as creative director two years ago, the Italian luxury fashion house has shot up the ladder of coolness, reaching a new and younger fanbase across the planet. The British designer’s fresh and clean silhouettes are cleverly paired with the artisanal techniques the brand is known for and have struck a chord with both influential editors and, most importantly, a receptive clientele. The sculpture, a shimmering gold chain resting on a matching oblong platform, represents a key element of Bottega Veneta‘s The Chain Pouch, one of this season’s most sought after trophy bags. Its location on the ground floor plaza at Ginza Sony Park, a somewhat irreverent oasis of subculture in this otherwise upscale shopping zone, may be a little surprising, but then again also signals Bottega Veneta‘s repositioning, becoming a more contemporary luxury brand, fully connected to urban and modern culture, than it has ever been before. And should the sight of this bold piece of bling incite any splurging, Bottega Veneta‘s grand flagship store is just down the road to accommodate your every need (on display through Aug 30).

Bottega Veneta – The Chain
Ginza Sony Park, 5-3-1 Ginza, Ground Floor Plaza
Tokyo 104-0061

© Bottega Veneta