DISCOVER HAT MAKER GRIS UCHIYAMA’S JAPAN IN THE NINTH EDITION OF WALLPAPER* AND TUDOR WATCHES STYLE FILE SERIES
As seen in Wallpaper*, photographer Takashi Osato
STYLE FILE
#09 JAPAN
ON THE NINTH STOP IN OUR TUDOR STYLE FILE WORLD TOUR, WE SEEK OUT ASIAN COUNTER CULTURE, AND EXPLORE THE BOHEMIAN SIDE OF TOKYO COURTESY OF OUR VERY OWN RESIDENT MAD HATTER
As seen in Wallpaper*, photographer Andy Barter
GRIS UCHIYAMA’S BEST ADDRESSES
Uchiyama shows us Tokyo’s bohemian side: take tea in an English-style teahouse, view contemporary art in a former bathhouse and browse till midnight in an old-school bookshop.
Tokyo Tower
20 MIN
For the ultimate Japanese high, Gris goes to the top of the 333m high Tokyo Tower to marvel at the 360 degree view and the twinkling city lights below.
English Teahouse Pekoe
30 MIN
Step into this oasis of junk shop-chic, with vintage furniture, proper china sets and tea cosies, and you could be in London’s Portobello Road circa 1975. Tea is served in the English style, preferably in the garden, with an egg timer to tell you when your brew is ready. Little fingers out please.
4-22 8 Ikenohata, Taiko-ku
SCAI The Bathhouse
1 HR
Located in a former public bathhouse, with its chimney, shoe lockers and water tank intact, this is Japan’s most famous contemporary art gallery, exhibiting works by the likes of Anish Kapoor and Julian Opie, as well as many modern Japanese artists.
Kashiwayu-Ato, 6-1-23 Yanaka Taito-ku
Dover Street Market Ginza / Comme des Garçons
2 HRS
Japanese fashion by way of London imported back to Tokyo. Just like the original, this six-storey, designer souk is full of inventively sourced surprises, with Rei Kawakubo’s own desisgns next to the likes of A Bathing Ape’s.
Ginza Komatsu West 6-9-5, Ginza, Chuo-ku
Ueno Park
AFTERNOON
‘This park is huge, with a zoo, a big pond, beautiful trees and flowers, an art college, numerous museums and a concert hall,” says Uchiyama. ‘It’s one of the top cultural attractions in Japan.’ She comes here for a long, lazy lunch, followed by an afternoon looking at the polar bears and then, perhaps, a recital in the concert hall.
Ueno Park, Taito-ku
Daikanyama Tsutaya Books
EVENING
‘I like a browse here,’ says Uchiyama, ‘followed by a cocktail at Ivy Place next door.’ Specialising in print/analogue media, this Klein Dytham-designed space is open until midnight and flies in the face of all things digital -- although it does rent out DVDs.
17-5 Sarugakucho, Shibuya-ku
HAT MAKER GRIS UCHIYAMA LOVES HER QUIRKY QUARTER OF TOKYO
If you ever find yourself needing a guide to the best kept secrets of Tokyo’s quietly hip Yanesen zone (named after the three neighbouring districts of Yanaka, Nezu and Sendagi) drop into Chapeaux Artisanaux de Gris (CAG), the cosy, plywood atelier owned by Gris Uchiyama, and ask for directions. The hat maker knows the area better than anyone; she was born nearby and lives a short metro ride from her shop, collaborating closely with local craftsman.
As the name of her milliner’s milliner suggests, Uchiyama’s beautifully constructed, androgynous headgear — designed and made by hand in–house — has an idiosyncratic, French look about it, a bit Jules et Jim, a hint of Jacques Tati. Which has earned her a loyal following among Tokyo’s bohemian fashion elite who, like Uchiyama herself, can be found whiling away an afternoon over a glass of wine at local restaurant Lemon No Mi or sipping cups of Earl Grey in the junk shop–chic interiors of English Teahouse Pekhoe.
In Uchiyama’s corner of Tokyo, redevelopment and gentrification are subtly and sensitively executed, while the pervading ambience is quirky and nonconformist. A cross between Paris and London’s Shoreditch, Yanesen is all boutiques, independent galleries and vintage stores. Which is just how Uchiyama likes it. ‘In this part of town there is a relaxed, original–thinking culture that you can tap into,’ she says. ‘It’s a slower–paced but less conservative antidote to the intense “scrap and build” mentality elsewhere in Tokyo, where trends come and go so quickly. For many people the city is all about cheap, throwaway, fast fashion and individual style gets lost in the rush. Here, you can have a little adventure …’
GLAMOUR DATE: A VINTAGE LOOK
An innovative double bezel, on a case with clean contours, lends retro chic appeal. The double bezel allows for a number of variations. The equally clean design of the dials makes an harmonious match with the delicate feuille hands. Great attention has been paid to every detail, right down to the shade of black chosen for the TUDOR shield on the dial, the seconds hand and the words “rotor self-winding”. The curving typography is a throwback to that of 1960s’ TUDOR watches. The same elegant ebony shade appears on the shield adorning on the winding crown.
Topping off the vintage look is a wide selection of straps in black, white, grey or violet lizard, and in black or white patent leather. Elegant new bracelets in steel or steel with yellow gold are also available. Glamour may also be fitted with a steel and black or white ceramic bracelet.
STYLE FILE
#10 USA
DISCOVER GALLERISTS STEVE PULIMOOD AND PAYAL PAREKH’S USA IN THE TENTH EDITION OF THE WALLPAPER* AND TUDOR WATCHES STYLE FILE SERIES
As seen in Wallpaper*, photographer Jeremy Liebman
STYLE FILE
#11 HUNGARY
DISCOVER FASHION DESIGNER LUU ANH TUAN’S HUNGARY IN THE ELEVENTH EDITION OF THE WALLPAPER* AND TUDOR WATCHES STYLE FILE SERIES
As seen in Wallpaper*, photographer Carol Sachs
STYLE FILE
#12 UK
DISCOVER FASHION DESIGNER CHARLIE CASELY-HAYFORD’S UK IN THE TWELFTH EDITION OF THE WALLPAPER* AND TUDOR WATCHES STYLE FILE SERIES
STYLE FILE
#01 FRANCE
Even seasoned travellers welcome the insight of the right sort of local, a gently guiding hand in new territories or a fresh take on the familiar. With this in mind, we’ve put together a series of Style Files, country-specific, cliché-dodging dossiers and in-the-field notes for the contemporary explorer who really knows where they are going.
Discover designer Noé Duchaufour-Lawrance’s France in the first edition of the Wallpaper* and Tudor watches Style File series
As seen in Wallpaper*, photographer Andy Barter
STYLE FILE
#02 AUSTRALIA
Discover Architects Anthony Burke and Gerard Reinmuth’s Australia in the second edition of the Wallpaper* and Tudor watches Style File series
As seen in Wallpaper*, photographer Jordan Grahan
STYLE FILE
#03 CHINA
Discover Fashion designer Masha Ma’s China in the third edition of the Wallpaper* and Tudor watches Style File series
As seen in Wallpaper*, photographer Alexandre Guirringer
STYLE FILE
#04 BRAZIL
Discover architect Juan Pablo Rosenberg’s Brazil in the fourth edition of the Wallpaper* and Tudor watches Style File series
As seen in Wallpaper*, photographer Vava Ribeiro
STYLE FILE
#05 SWEDEN
DISCOVER DESIGNER SUSANNA WÅHLIN’S SWEDEN IN THE FIFTH EDITION OF THE WALLPAPER* AND TUDOR WATCHES STYLE FILE SERIES
As seen in Wallpaper*, photographer Elisabeth Toll
STYLE FILE
#06 GERMANY
DISCOVER PERFUMER GEZA SCHOEN’S GERMANY IN THE SIXTH EDITION OF THE WALLPAPER* AND TUDOR WATCHES STYLE FILE SERIES
As seen in Wallpaper*, photographer Noshe
STYLE FILE
#08 SWITZERLAND
DISCOVER ARCHITECTS BÉNÉDICTE MONTANT AND CARMELO STENDARDO’S SWITZERLAND IN THE EIGHTH EDITION OF WALLPAPER* AND TUDOR WATCHES STYLE FILE SERIES
