Inside the New Ginza Six

After much anticipation (billions of yen spent), Tokyo's latest shopping mall, the behemoth that is Ginza Six, finally opened its doors earlier this month.

Spanning a whopping 47,000 square metres and 19 floors, the newest addition to the district of Ginza is home to a rooftop garden, Noh theatre, Yayoi Kusama art installation, and over 240 stores - including the flagship boutiques of labels such as Dior, Saint Laurent, and Valentino.

Here's a closer look inside.

DIOR

Yoshio Taniguchi, the architect behind the MOMA in New York, has conceived a five-storey megastore for the storied French house; bags, accessories and timepieces are displayed in seven metre-high atrium, while womenswear (with VIP salon), menswear and footwear command a floor each. On the third storey you’ll find Café Dior by Pierre Hermé, bringing together two of France’s most beloved exports — fashion and pastry — in one shopping experience. Maria Grazia Chiuri even created a line of sakura-inspired bags and couture pieces to commemorate the new store, complete with glitzy runway presentation.

SAINT LAURENT

A modernist space covered in marble, glass and brass surfaces, Saint Laurent’s new three-story store is a classic interpretation of the French modernist movement of the early 20th century that also embodies creative director Anthony Vaccarello’s cool and razor-sharp aesthetic. The brand’s entire range of products is shown off to its best advantage on sleek suspended rails and gold showcases. An exclusive collection including an appliqued parka and backpack was made available at the boutique’s opening.

VALENTINO

Overlooking Chuo Dori, Ginza’s main shopping street, the aluminium mesh façade of Valentino’s Ginza Six space — a collaboration with architect David Chipperfield — is a contemporary interpretation of Japanese noren screens, allowing visitors a peek of the terrazzo and marble interiors.