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November 9, 2011

Tokyo fashion: Lumine 2 and department stores in Shinjuku

Tokyo fashion: Lumine 2 and department stores in Shinjuku

Sarah Deschamps and Lee Jay Walker

Modern Tokyo Times

All Images MODERN TOKYO TIMES

Lumine is a lovely company which caters for high quality fashion and certainly this company understands the market in Japan. Time after time when you visit different Lumine stores you are guaranteed to find exquisite boutiques, a lovely layout, nice ambience and sophistication. Therefore, amidst the hustle and bustle of dynamic Shinjuku you have Lumine 2 and other Lumine stores. However, this article is just focused on Lumine 2 and giving details about other famous fashion department stores in Shinjuku.

Shinjuku itself is blessed with so many fantastic department stores and stylish boutiques which cater for many different styles of fashion. At all times Shinjuku is awash with people and the atmosphere is electric for fashion lovers but at times it can be too hectic for others. Despite this, if you are a lover of fashion then the choice is amazing and Tokyoites and tourists flock to Shinjuku in vast numbers every day.

Major department stores in Shinjuku and Nishi Shinjuku include Lumine, Isetan, Marui, Keio, Mitsukoshi ALCOTT, Odakyu, Takashimaya and Mylord. Each quality department store provides exquisite fashion and visiting Takashimaya is a real eye opener to the elegance of fashion in Tokyo. However, for younger ladies then Lumine and other department stores like Isetan and Marui One are also extremely popular.

Mylord is part of the Odakyu group and provides a nice contrast with the main Odakyu store. Meanwhile Mitsukoshi ALCOTT and Keio have their own strong powerbase and collectively the fashion stores all add to a vibrant fashion zone. Therefore, fashion is clearly potent in Shinjuku and you can feel the raw energy of this famous part of Tokyo.

Also, if you want to feel the vibe of unique styles which makes the alternative fashion scene tick in Tokyo, then Marui One is a must. This department store took a more risky approach by focusing on “underground fashion” and the “unique vibes of Tokyo and Osaka.” Therefore, for fashion lovers who want to see unique styles and feel the buzz of Tokyo, then Marui One provides many lovely styles.

This applies to fantasy fashion, romantic designs, modern kimono, Gothic Lolita, Sweet Lolita, dreamy fashion, casual styles, visual kei, and other amazing trends. Therefore, Marui One is like “a mirror” of parts of Harajuku and this store is internationally famous. Marui have many different stores in Shinjuku but Mauri One stands out because of its individualism.

Turning back to Lumine 2 then this elegant department store is blessed with exquisite boutiques and the atmosphere is always refined. Lumine 2 like all Lumine stores is based on providing boutiques which highlight elegance, current trends, gracefulness and extremely high quality products.

In Lumine 2 you have so many exquisite boutiques and on the second floor alone you have many fabulous fashion stores catering for ladies. This applies to Snidel, Banner Barrett, Jewel Changes, Samantha Thavasa, Grappe Bannister (Abahouse), United Arrows, Spick and Span (FRAMeWORK), Adam et Rope, Aquagirl, LANVIN en Bleu, Moroko Bar, Anteprima/Misto, Jill Stuart, Stunning Lure, KariAng Park, Fray I.D, Borny, Blondy, Peach John The Store (lingerie), RYZA, and several other lovely boutiques and cosmetic stores.

Spick and Span (FRAMeWORK) sums up the second floor well because this lovely boutique gives you a taste of the sheer quality provided within Lumine 2. Also, exquisite designs of bags by Samantha Thavasa and Anteprima/Misto are extremely appealing and the contrasting styles highlight the richness of the entire floor.

The second floor is the largest area for fashion but you also have stylish boutiques on other floors and it is important to look around and take your time. Therefore, on the third floor you will find a nice mix of ladies and men fashion and this applies to Urban Research, Nano Universe, Alfredo Bannister, and a few more boutiques.

The fourth floor is also mixed fashion for men and women and you have lovely boutiques which include Nombre Impair, Casbah, Beaver, Liptional, Journal Standard Relume, and Par ICI Klassisk. Also, you have other stores selling different products or a mixture of goods like Sunday Brunch Zakka (ladies fashion accessories), Raguel (ladies fashion accessories) and several other stores.

Overall, Lumine 2 is a fantastic shopping experience and if you want to see exquisite fashion in the heart of Shinjuku then you can’t go wrong by visiting this amazing department store.