Tiffany & Co redesigns flagship stores in Tokyo and New York
Art and design are my two great passions and, naturally when the two elements collide it’s double the excitement. July 9, 2023 marks the Tiffany & Co re-opening of their Tokyo flagship store featuring an extraordinary installation of Damien Hirst’s Cherry Blossoms.
The new façade consists of 292 aluminium and glass panels arranged at different angles, allowing light to enter the interior spaces and diffuse similar to as it would on the surface of a carefully cut diamond.
The entire building exterior is decorated with one of Damien Hirst’s most recognized series of works. The Cherry Blossom pattern, which Hirst has used for hundreds of works of all shapes and sizes, has proven to be just as suitable to this monumentally large application. The artist’s work, applied from top to bottom creating a vibrant and bold look that distinguishes the flagship store from the surrounding buildings. The theme continues inside, with the pattern being reproduced on wallpaper and the cherry blossom motif referenced on chandeliers, table lamps and glass.
Redesigned Fifth Avenue store, The Landmark
This collaboration comes as no coincidence to me as this Tokyo flagship renovation directly follows the reopening of Tiffany’s iconic Fifth Avenue store in New York City, marking the first renovation since the original opened in 1940. The grand re-opening (April 27, 2023) was marked by a major celebration starting with an opening set by DJ Mia Moretti, followed by a performance by the Radio City Rockettes, a headlining performance by American singer-songwriter Katy Perry and DJ set by Mark Ronson to close the evening.
Dubbed “The Landmark” the major renovation was headed by New York based architect Peter Marino and represents a new age for Tiffany & Co. The new design aims to be the ultimate representation of the brand’s core values of innovation, craftsmanship and creative excellence. The vast new store is home to a Blue Box Cafe by Daniel Boulud, dedicated museum and exhibition spaces, a floor dedicated to engagement pieces and another to Tiffany & Co homeware, as well as the largest collection of Tiffany high jewellery worldwide.
While the scale of this refurbishment is nothing short of monumental, the stand out for me was the impressive display of nearly 40 artworks by some of the most prominent artists working today, including pieces by Jean-Michel Basquiat, Damien Hirst, Julian Schnabel, Rashid Johnson, Anna Weyant and Daniel Arsham. This is why it was so important for me to personally visit and experience this renovation. I would highly recommend to anyone if opportunity provides to view it for themselves even if it’s only for artworks on display. Until then please enjoy some of the snapshots from my visit:
