Los Angeles, CA – Nepenthes, the innovative Tokyo-based fashion label known for its reinterpretation of classic American style, announces the opening of its new retail store in downtown Los Angeles on August 31, 2024. Following New York and London, this location marks the third overseas Nepenthes store and a significant step in expanding Nepenthes’ worldwide presence.
Founded by Keizo Shimizu in 1988, Nepenthes has spent the last 36 years dedicated to sharing a unique aesthetic vision with the audience by way of fashion. The company, started as an import goods store in Jingumae, Tokyo, has evolved into a renowned global fashion house. Nepenthes’ in-house brands—Needles, Engineered Garments, South2 West8, AiE, Rhodolirion, and Shiden—offer a fresh take on authentic menswear starting with American classics. Under the leadership of Tokuro Aoyagi, the President and COO of Nepenthes Co., Ltd., Nepenthes continues to thrive.
The downtown Los Angeles store embodies Nepenthes’ pioneering spirit, continuing a tradition of selecting uncommon storefront locations. The space will feature a curated selection of collections from Nepenthes’ brands, rotating art exhibitions, and pop-up shops. Blending the traditional and contemporary, Nepenthes Los Angeles honors the legacy of classic American clothiers while pushing creative boundaries.
Joint statement from the founder of Nepenthes and designer of Needles, Keizo Shimizu, and head of Nepenthes America Inc. and designer of Engineered Garments Daiki Suzuki:
“Since Nepenthes was established in Tokyo in 1988, our challenge to test our fashion style, honed over many years in the Japanese industry, in the heart of America remains unchanged.
Initially, we focused on discovering, importing, and developing American products—clothing, shoes, tools—that had yet to be introduced to Japan.
From the late 1990s, we gradually shifted towards developing our own products and launching our own brands.
Subsequently, with Nepenthes’ unique aesthetic, we have reinterpreted and redefined American classic styles, which were declining in the American market, in ways that suit the times.
Ultimately, the goal has been to operate our retail stores in America.
Many Japanese people, including us, have been influenced by American-style imported clothing stores in Japan since the 1970s. When we first came to America in the 1980s, we were greatly inspired by the venerable men’s shops in various cities: Barney’s, Charivari, Paul Stuart, Bergdorf Goodman Men’s store in NY; Louis of Boston in Boston; Wilkes Bashford, Cable Car Clothiers in SF; and Jerry Magnin, Carroll & Co, At Ease, Fred Segal in LA.
These were the stores we had to check out whenever we visited those cities back in the 1980s, but most have disappeared over time, with only a few remaining.
Although the internet and social media have significantly transformed the style of traditional men’s shops, we want to take on the challenge of store operation again, using Nepenthes’ unique vision and style, built on over 30 years of experience and achievements in the American market.
Fourteen years have passed since we opened the Nepenthes retail store in NY in 2010. This fall, a new challenge for Nepenthes begins in downtown Los Angeles.”
Location:
715 S Los Angeles Street, Los Angeles, CA, 90014
For media inquiries, please contact:
James Donovan
james@nepenthesla.com
(213) 265-7312