“There is a pretty cool store underneath Omotesando Hills” is what I`d heard. But I have been in this industry for 4 years and thought I had a pretty good grip on all of the best boutiques in the Tokyo Metropolitan area-and I have been into Omotesando hills enough times to know what was in there.
The Forbidden Fruits Café. Anyone who has walked past the Hills have noticed it- It has a sign which looks kind of groovy- think the “Austin Powers” title- and the interior is an ominously glowing orange and the bar is always empty. I have passed there myself numerous times and always wondered how they stay in business if no one- including any staff- is there to actually induce any commerce?
So I finally step in one afternoon when I had a few minutes to spare. There it was; a doorway in the back…and a spiral staircase that descends down to “Bedrock”, the name of the store with no sign (I had to ask the staff what the name of the place was when I left).
The shop is quite amazing..cages and chandeliers hang in what seems like a cave or dungeon. The display racks are made of wood and chains, feathers and velvet lie about. The most amazing part is in the back where an atrium houses tropical plants that are stuffed in like the Amazon.
The brands are equally cool..”If Six Was Nine” is consisted of prints on super microfiber cotton shirts and dresses. There was one that was pink and looked like muscle tendons stretched across the dress. They also have the tanktops with angel wings made famous by L’Arc ~en~Ciel’s Hyde in his solo ventures.
The namesake “Bedrock” is a bit more sexy rock with lingerie and leather jackets. There are also select items from Olivier Theyskens (Nina Ricci), Galliano, and some wild shoes made of wood with giant bolts or nails as heels.
The only bad thing is photography is not allowed and they never advertise in magazines. Their products don’t even APPEAR in magazines. So you can feel a little bit more in the scene just by knowing about it. Prices are even within reach (my tendon dress is about $250). There are a few other shops in the city that are as equally alluding.
Even the staff said that most people don’t know about the stores..so make it a plan to try and treasure hunt these places out the next time you’re in the mood for some juice in Tokyo.
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