‘When people knew that I was opening a shop, most of them expect something very commercial since I’m a stylist. There is another, perhaps less known, side to my aesthetic that is inspired by European style, classic films, white linen and my local shops. These influence me up to this date.’
Renowned Korean fashion stylist Sonya S. Park is influential in Japan fashion since 1990s. She has published three volumes of ‘Sonya’s Shopping Manual’ and founded lifestyle label Arts & Science. Opening stores in Daikanyama and Minami Aoyama since 2003 and 2004 respectively, they are mostly dotted in quiet corners and themed individually. ‘Arts & Science’ sells clothing and is the label’s flagship store; ‘Shoes & Things’ stocks shoes and accessories; ‘Over the Counter’ offers a fine selection of tea leaves, candles, hair combs and limited edition food produce; ‘Men’s Shop’ is, as its names suggests, a menswear shop. There’s also ‘Display’ — a regular display and publication of its very own newspaper ‘Periodical’.
The Daikanyama shop was not ‘officially’ set as a fashion store, but Sonya wanted to base it around a ‘cosy home-y’ atmosphere. Providing customers with excellent choices of pyjamas, towels and soaps, most labels stocked in the shop are still under the radar (but surely not for long).
The elegant allure of the store draws one in effortlessly. The label had been invited for collaborations with top Japanese fashion designers such as Hysteric Glamour and Comme des Garçons, to create the aesthetic for a brand new world. Arts & Science is now available at THINK SILLY Store.
Text: Carmen Lee | Translation: dilettante
Photo: Kimio Ng
Update: 14 Oct 2010
THINK SILLY STORE
Unit 8, 18 Ka Yip Street, Chai Wan, Hong Kong.
+852 2898 2199
1 – 8pm (Tues – Sun)
