Japanese jeweller Kataoka has opened its first store in the US. In stark contrast with the firm’s 700sqft shop in Tokyo, the new 1600sqft New York flagship has been located in the trendy Tribeca neighbourhood to reflect Kataoka’s brand identity with its historic look.
The store has been distinctively designed with a blend of Japanese and Manhattan sensibilities to convey an exotic industrial context for the brand’s delicate jewellery designs, displayed in vintage Japanese casings.
Company COO Anis Boudraa said the company founder and designer Yoshinobu Kataoka “only wanted display cases that are antique that have a beautiful patina… they really reflect the theory of Kataoka – working with something that’s old”.
“Our designer hates fast fashion and everything that’s related to fast consumerism.”
The firm makes its pieces using only recycled gold, which it salvages from the Japanese semiconductor industry. All pieces are hand made.