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The storefronts in Tokyo’s Ginza shopping district read like New York’s Fifth Avenue: Hermes, Gucci, Armani, Dior. Now Bulgari joins the couture collection with the world’s largest Italian jewelry store on Friday. The tony, 10-story building features entire floors dedicated to jewels, watches and accessories — not to mention a VIP lounge, a restaurant and a rooftop garden terrace. But Bulgari’s not the only style house venturing beyond fashion: Earlier this month Giorgio Armani personally unveiled his 12-story Ginza Tower — which encompasses a nightclub, flower shop and the first Armani spa. There’s also a skyline terrace bar and an Italian restaurant helmed by former White House executive chef Enrico Derflingher, who joins Tokyo’s dining scene just as Michelin has bestowed the city more stars than Paris.
Of course Ginza wasn’t always boomtown — 10 years ago, during Asia’s economic crash, department stores were giving way to discount emporiums. Now, a steady stream of big labels has bolstered the district’s real estate to some of the most expensive in the world (think: $100,000 per square-meter). And it’s little wonder they’re flocking: nine out of 10 of Tokyo’s 20-something females supposedly own a Louis Vuitton handbag.
