A Brand Leading European Design Trends Opens Its First Store in Japan

Tom Dixon, a prominent contemporary British designer, has opened his first brand-exclusive shop in Japan in Tokyo's Aoyama district. His furniture and lighting, which sublimate British tradition into a modern form, are used in cutting-edge commercial and public spaces, such as the cafe at Harrods in London.

Taking these circumstances into account, Dixon explained, "As this is the first store in Japan, we designed it to be used not only by the general public but also by architects and coordinators. The interior design is conscious of British history and the present."

A Hit Maker with an Unusual Background

In fact, this designer has a rather unusual background. In the 1980s, he was a professional musician and ran a nightclub. His performances at the club, where he would weld metal on stage and create chairs in front of the audience, gained him recognition as a designer. The handmade chairs born from this process are now part of the MoMA permanent collection. While most British furniture designers have studied architecture at university, he is often introduced as an outlier due to his self-taught approach.



It would be a mistake to think of Tom Dixon as someone who creates furniture through improvisation and talent alone. In the late 1990s, he became the Creative Director for 'HABITAT,' a major European furniture chain, where he "learned a great deal from the business world." He remarked, "For example, it's difficult to sell just chairs, and the same goes for just candle holders. But when they are displayed together in the same store, people become interested."

After gaining business experience with various manufacturers, including Habitat, he launched his brand, 'Tom Dixon,' in 2002, handling the design, manufacturing, and sales of furniture and home accessories. He stated, "Designers up until then only provided designs to large corporations, so my actions were recognized as a new business model and have inspired followers."

The popular 'Beat Light' series of lighting fixtures utilizes a traditional technique he encountered in India, where brass is shaped by hammering. "India was once part of the British Empire. When designing, I am conscious of Britishness," he says. Underlying this is likely the country's lifestyle, where furniture and lighting are used for decades, unswayed by trends.

An Exclusive Shop Revealing the Essence of Tom Dixon's "Design"

Dixon's studio now boasts a large staff of 95 people. In recent years, he has increasingly focused on interior design, not just furniture. The Mondrian Hotel in London, which opened last year, garnered significant attention for its interior design that incorporates British tradition into a space with a history as a shipping company facility.

At the reception prior to the opening, a special edition "Tom Dixon" Rolls-Royce, from the same British brand, made an appearance. Kiyoyuki Okuyama, a designer, also attended the reception and shared his thoughts on Dixon, saying, "Tom Dixon's products are characterized by maximizing the appeal of their materials. I am delighted that a shop where one can fully experience such a brand has opened here in Tokyo."

The opening of his exclusive shop in Tokyo is likely to draw attention to the essence of this leading British designer, who was often previously introduced as a former rock musician.

TOM DIXON SHOP
Opening Hours | 11:00 - 19:00
Closed | Wednesdays
2-1-13 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Tel. 03-5778-3282