[Columnist: Raen Payne]
Gothic-lolita fashion designer Naoto Hirooka (who attended the famous BUNKA fashion school in Tokyo) is the founder and designer of his label h.NAOTO. Based in Tokyo the fashion label has a new home in San Francisco on the 2nd floor of the New People building in Japan Town. Outside a number of congratulatory wreaths from those who have worn his pieces such as Japanese singers Gackt, HYDE and even Amy Lee of Evanescence; welcomed patrons.
Interior of the shop is contemporary and structured filled with the hip, left of center couture that has been a staple of the Japanese gothic aesthetic.
The store replaces the Black Peace Now store that filled its corners only a few months ago. The small, unassuming and well dressed Hirooka hopes that in the future he’ll be able to expand to Los Angeles and New York. Though the economic present of the U.S. is questionable he is hopeful that the shop will be successful in bringing his brand to America.
Opening weekend, October 7th – October 9th, was full of events for the press and the public. Everyday from 2pm – 4pm Hirooka was on hand to coordinate outfits for customers.
And, if you make it to the café on the 1st floor early enough you can enjoy a sweet set of coffee or tea and a cupcake with raspberry sauce drizzled down the side and on the plate. The set comes served on a special h.Naoto mat.
If you’re just curious about the designer you can view a retrospective of his work in the Super Frog Gallery during the opening weekend. Several of his designs are on display as well as a lovely collection of photo shoots beginning with his first collection in 2001 up through the present. The ambient soundtrack to film also on display adds a spooky feel to the work. The thirty-minute video shows models striding around in Hirooka’s 2010 collection when it was exhibited in Tokyo of last year.
For more details about the h.Naoto store opening please see the press release at: http://www.newpeopleworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/NEW-PEOPLE-Welcomes-Opening-Of-h.-NAOTO-Retail-Store-In-October-.pdf
h.NAOTO
1746 Post St,
San Francisco, CA, United States, 94115
http://www.s-inc.com/hnaoto/
*photos by raen payne
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