Dual: Tokyo-style around-the-world fashion

Tokyo-style-fashion… What is that actually? When looking at what people wear here on the streets, you find anything from the most expensive major labels to really minor underground fashion brands you were sure to never have travelled abroad. PingMag discovered Dual - an international fashion select shop located just off Omotesando- and was truly surprised by the amazing selection of international designers. So - we thought we better share this hot fashion tip with you! Here are some images inside Dual, their latest collection and some Q&A with Akiko Suyama, the women behind all this.

Written by Uleshka

Akiko, you started Dual in February 2002 and recently things are really going well on your side. What is the overall concept for the clothes you choose?

I always try to imagine a story out of the clothes I choose for my collections. I like to imagine what types of girls would go well with the clothes and what places are suitable when they wear them. I sort of mix my “worldwide fashion information” with whatever I know about Tokyo, maybe adding some recent trends I have observed, stir well and that is how my collections come about.

What designers do you have in your current selection?

Quite a good mix - Gloria Coelho, Elisa Chanan, Spijkers en Spijkers, Drosofila, Sandra Silveira, Tarantula, Juliana Jabour, Neon, Tina Kalivas,…

Maria Bonita, Brazil

Gloria Coelho, Brazil

How close are you to the actual designers?

We are very close to most of our designers we chose. We consult each other -business wise, for example.

We at Dual always like to show the message of the designers (what they think and what they are inspired by) to our customers and buyers in Japan. We want people to notice all the little details of the clothes, background stories, even things like the name of the song they used for their fashion shows.

Are you actually trying to make a certain style and if so - do people trust your taste?

I think that many people are looking for their own style. Originality is what counts because people become more and more individual. People buy new clothes to make them happy, or they change the interior of their living room to feel refreshed or they go to a record shop to find their favorite new record… It is about re-newing the everyday.

a vivid mix of colors and shapes…

…on each Dual coat hanger

I’m always trying to put some extra passion in my daily routine, because without passion, there is boredom. If you can feel that passion when you come to Dual - I’m happy!

Where do you find the designers for your selection?

I love web sites - there is nothing more convenient to find new stuff! Apart from that, I meet designers though my friends or just discover new talents on my business trips.

Spijkers en Spijkers collection from Holland

detail

What sort of people buy your clothes then?

Women who are “shining” and “sparkling”!

What do you actually think about “fashion in Japan?”

Japanese people usually think that Paris, New York, London and Milan are fashionable cities. But I think that the most fashionable city on this planet is Tokyo. People here are very sensitive to fashion and accept new things, trends and ideas really easily, so you can be very experimental and people will still buy it and try.

So many thing are mixed up here, but that is exactly why things look so original. I always want to do an “original” selection because Tokyo represents the world with this multi-mix.

In our shop, you can find stuff from all sorts of places: not only Paris or London, but also from locations such as Brazil and Australia. That is what creates an original style you can’t find anywhere else.

Thanks a lot, Akiko.

11 Comments

1. i agree Tokyo is more fashionable city than Paris or London according that Japanese people are not afraid wearing crazy and original wears

   Posted by: yul on November 21st, 2006 at 12:17 am

2. Well, I sort of agree with yul. It’s true that lots of Japanese people aren’t afraid of wearing in cosplay. But I guess cosplaying aren’t fashion. Ahh… I don’t know. :-P

   Posted by: Ben on November 21st, 2006 at 1:21 pm

3. I have impressed by Japanese cartoon. but this article can’t give me a very deep impression on Japanese fashion. maybe Pingmag can continue this topic in following posts:)

   Posted by: keanu on November 21st, 2006 at 2:18 pm

4. I went to Tokyo last month and I’d say I spent nearly all my “shopping budget” on clothes around Cat Street and Daikanyama. For me, there is nowhere in the world that is as fashionable or as good for guys clothes shopping as Tokyo. Women have a lot more choice in other parts of the world, but for guys, Tokyo is the place!

   I took a lot of money last time. Next time, I plan on taking even more. I recommend trying to find Gouk to anyone who likes a bit of originality. It’s pretty tough to locate though.

   Posted by: Seth on November 24th, 2006 at 7:15 am

5. Kamal Kishor
   s/o Sh.Pyara Lal Tejpal
   G.T.Road Beas (Asr)-143201
   Ph.:01853-27324,500607
   Mob-+91-98721-99701
   Email : professional_messenger@yahoo.com
   Kamal Kishor
   Objective
    To get a challenging career with a prestigious organization where I can apply my strength to increase towards the organization growth.
    Better understanding, hardworking and ability to tackle the problems of life through positive approach and team work.
   Education
    Passed 10+2 from P.S.E.B with Math, Economics , Political Science.
    Passed two year Fashion Designing Course in AIFD, (A Division of AboutUs Inc.) Jalandhar
    7.0 Band in IELTS
   Practical Training
    Six Month traning in Essma textile Pvt. Ltd. Amritsar.
    Six month traning in duke fashion Pvt. Ltd. Ludhiana.
   Working Experience
    Eight Year in Shopkeeping at Beas.
    One year experience in DTP
    100 Hrs. experience in MLM
    five year experienced in LIC and GIC insurance.
    One year experience in Marketing of Acqua guard
   Computer Skills
    Ms-Window, Ms-office, Internet, Corel Draw, Adobe Photoshop, Autotex,
   Strength
    Honest, Hardworking , Sincere , Positive Attitue,Creative
   Personal Information
   Father’s Name : Sh. Pyara Lal Tejpal
   Date of birth : 2nd May, 1983
   Martial Status : Unmarried
   Nationality : Indian
   Languages Known : English, Hindi, Punjabi

   Posted by: kamal kishor on April 1st, 2007 at 11:35 pm

6. i’m with Ben.
   y selling so many clothes which from non-jp??

   Posted by: unknown on April 10th, 2007 at 2:08 am

7. hey

   Posted by: soashii on June 8th, 2007 at 5:43 am

8. Wow, that is really something!

   Posted by: Jennifer on June 11th, 2007 at 6:07 am

9. selm

   Posted by: maurers on February 22nd, 2011 at 6:05 am

10. Aw, this was a really quality post. In theory I’d like to write like this too - taking time and real effort to make a good article… but what can I say… I procrastinate sdsafasalot and never seem to get something done.

    Posted by: nike air max black on May 23rd, 2011 at 8:16 pm

11. I really would like to learn more information about your business, what is it and why is it important.

    Posted by: christian louboutin on November 10th, 2011 at 11:48 am

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