The Store Itself is Art: An 850-Tsubo Realm of Fashion Infused with "Taniguchi-ism"

The iconic sculpture wall designed by John-Paul Filippi, a symbol of Barneys New York, soars into the second-floor atrium. At night, it becomes a striking "glowing wall"—a first for any Barneys New York store worldwide—exuding a powerful presence and appeal.

To realize Barneys New York's distinctive design, Creative Director Katsuhiko Taniguchi participated from the building's basic design phase, sometimes even directly engaging with contractors and factories to bring his ideal vision to life.

"Without such meticulous attention to detail, we cannot achieve the unique atmosphere of Barneys New York, a specialty store—the 'Barneys Air,'" he states.

Taniguchi emphasizes that his primary focus in design is the fundamental environment of floors, walls, and ceilings. "No matter how exquisite the art or how impressive the fixtures, if the basic floors, walls, and ceilings are mediocre, the result will ultimately be commonplace. I reflect the most suitable materials, designs, and colors for the fashion presented on each of the four floors, envisioning every detail."

This includes the ceiling's shape, incorporating lighting effects; the murals adorning the cash wrap areas and walls on each floor; and the herringbone stone flooring on the third floor, realized through repeated visits to a stone factory in Sekigahara.──Let us now explore Barneys New York Fukuoka, a store that reveals more delights the closer you look.

1F──The First Exterior Design Worldwide
And the John-Paul Filippi Sculpture Wall, Soaring Across Two Floors

"The atrium is a crucial element that connects to the second floor," Taniguchi explains. The first floor ceiling is 4 meters high, and the sculpture wall reaches 9 meters. Notice the oval design of the mosaic tiles on the first floor, synchronized with the oval opening in the atrium and the ripple-like ceiling. Using limestone quarried in Portugal, the mosaic design is original. "Moca cream is an iconic color for Barneys New York, establishing a visual promise from the first floor," he adds.

The "glowing wall" at the front of the first floor, which emits light through Japanese paper, serves as a versatile canvas for Barneys New York's distinctive presentations.

And the exterior wall, radiating a beautiful light. This 9-meter-high wall, allowing light to enter, is made of raw aluminum and is a world first, achieved after numerous prototypes at an aluminum casting factory in Miyakonojo City, Miyazaki Prefecture. There are twelve aluminum columns in total, and seven windows designed for engaging visual presentations.

The simple banner outside the store, featuring only the vertically aligned letters "BARNEYS," is a unique design used exclusively at the San Francisco and Fukuoka stores—a beautiful sign.

2F──Beautiful Fitting Rooms That Inspire the Desire to Shop
And the Tie-Dye Rug, Hand-Dyed by Taniguchi Himself at the Kawashima Textile School Factory

Ascending the "lightning bolt staircase," bathed in natural light, you are greeted by a mural of birds painted by John-Paul Filippi.

Throughout the floors, vibrant rugs are strategically placed. On the second floor, for instance, there's an orange tie-dye rug that Taniguchi hand-dyed at a textile factory. "The second floor primarily features women's contemporary casual wear and denim, so we chose a tie-dye rug that complements a hippie aesthetic and denim." The rug, dyed over approximately a year, is laid on the wooden floor, creating a unique coordination with the wooden tables.

"The fitting rooms on each floor, in particular, are spaces where customers encounter the excitement of new fashion. Therefore, their designs vary, and we've created atmospheres that match each floor using curtains and rugs," says Taniguchi.

3F──The Third Floor: The Largest of Fukuoka Store's Four Levels
Cutting-Edge Fashion Flourishes in a Breathtaking 50-Meter Wide Space

This time, John-Paul Filippi's mural art features birds as its theme. The staircase from the second to the third floor also offers a delightful experience with its lighthearted mural art amidst a calm atmosphere.

The third floor boasts a width of 50 meters. "The diagonal of the second floor at the Ginza store is approximately 50 meters," Taniguchi notes, inviting us to imagine the scale.

"We've devised ways to create changing visual impressions by leveraging the horizontal expanse. Towards the organic design near the real clothing area immediately after the stairs, we gradually transition the atmosphere with rugs and tables as you move deeper, culminating in the designer area at the far end, where sharp geometric patterns and elements like wooden walls made of Japanese ash create the ambiance and space for each zone," explains Taniguchi.


The flooring features natural stone (Bianco Domal) laid with the narrowest possible grout lines. Antique Italian chairs from the 1950s have been reupholstered. The beautifully curved stage, the curved hangers adding accents to the space, the original rugs for each zone, and tables with hammer-finished legs in 3mm-thick antique gold finish—all these elements create a unique, museum-like aesthetic that perfectly complements the collection.

B1F──The Men's Floor Design Features Deliberate Mismatches
Enjoy Shopping in a Space That Balances Flow and Intensity!

The suit zone features flooring made of oak arranged in a checkerboard pattern, a motif favored by men. The walls are clad in Sapele mahogany (the tie corner on the first floor uses African mahogany). Chairs upholstered in William Morris patterns and tables used in the Columbia University library in the 1930s are incorporated. "By mixing different materials and colors, and combining elements that appear disparate at first glance, we create a strong, unified message and a unique atmosphere that is both classic and modern," says Taniguchi.



In contrast, the sportswear zone features green rugs and herringbone patterns, while the table displaying jeans has a blue tie-dye rug underneath. Cantilevered fixtures inspired by architect Jean Prouvé are also used. The interplay of forms and colors creates a distinct tempo for each zone, catering to the on- and off-duty styles of the modern man.

< Barneys New York Fukuoka | B1F >
The basement floor, with its dark wood flooring, imposing antique furniture, and playful, unique rugs, offers a total styling experience for men's fashion items, covering both formal and casual wear.
The suit corner also displays shirts and ties, presenting a comprehensive range from formal to casual wear. The floor features an abundance of exclusive items in collaboration with popular brands, as well as bespoke original products developed with Italian factories.