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What in the world is going on at Hermes in Shibuya??

Preston Phro May 19, 2014
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When you think about fashion, there’s a good chance that the first place you think of is Paris–and with good reason! France is certainly one of the leading fashion centers in the world, but Tokyo isn’t far behind. Though it may not be at the very top of the list of fashion cities, we’d reckon that the Japanese metropolis is at least in the top ten. So, it’s hardly any surprise at all that Hermès, one of France’s most celebrated fashion companies, has over ten locations in Tokyo proper alone, with a few more in Narita and Haneda airports as well.

Of course, high fashion is an art form, so it’s only fitting that Hermès stores also feature eye-catching displays to match their mesmerizing goods. But we think they might have gotten a bit too eye-catching with a few of these showcases…

Now, we’ll admit that when it comes to the highest of high fashion we might not be the most knowledgeable, but we kind of doubt that understanding the ins and outs of well-tailored clothing would help us here. In fact, we’re not even sure if an art degree would unravel these mysteries!

You see, Hermès has apparently decided that the best way to attract customers is to confuse them. Just take a look at the tweeted photos of the Shibuya Seibu branch’s displays for April…

“The entirely indecipherable world view of Hermès. Am I the only one who thinks these dog-like creatures look like death gods?”

▼Now that you mention…nope, you’re not alone.

エルメスのわからなさすぎる世界観。この犬みたいなのが死神に見えるのは私だけですかね。 pic.twitter.com/3KekNTo43E

— Yoshimii (@hiris914) April 17, 2014

“I found these surreal blue, yellow, and red…things at Shibuya Seibu. It’s exactly what you’d expect from Hermès.”

▼It also looks like a surreal production of Animal Farm…

渋谷西武で見つけたシュールな青黄赤やら何やら。エルメスらしいw pic.twitter.com/MsmsusAuu2

— ろっと꙳‧✧̣̇‧⋆ (@rotttt7) April 18, 2014

“What’s going on at Hermès? LOL Their Shibuya Seibu showcase is overflowing with insanity. It’s even holding a hammer!”

▼The better to…nail into your clothes with?

https://twitter.com/kumi_wdwpp/status/457111554597462016

So, that’s how Hermès was advertising their store last month. Surely things have changed for May–after all it’s the most depressing time of the year in Japan. People could really use a nice pick-me-up, right?

No, of course not!

“Shibuya’s Hermès was just too much.”

▼It looks like the ghost of Pluto come to haunt Mickey Mouse…

https://twitter.com/mayuko_endoh/status/466015679376658432/

“This is truly cutting edge. Honorable Hermès.”

▼Well, she definitely got the cutting part right at least.

https://twitter.com/masumi_asano/status/462427958561353729/

“There’s no doubt that these mysterious Hermès displays that look like aliens will have a strong draw for the most fashionable people.”

▼Aliens, hunh? Honestly, that would explain a lot, wouldn’t it?

オシャレ上級者さんたちにはこのエルメスのディスプレイの謎の宇宙人みたいのもきっと響くにちがいない。 pic.twitter.com/X84Ci15KIA

— 北林明日香 (@asuka_kita) May 3, 2014

So, what the heck is going on with Hermès? Well, it seems that they’re simply patrons of the high and bizarre arts. The displays above (and the strange French/Japanese tengu below) were apparently the work of world-famous Kubat Billot, a Swiss designer currently based out of New York. A glance at Billot’s website will tell you everything you need to know. This guy really means it when he says, “We are here to create, transform, shape, renovate and push…the world with you.”

▼Though we’re not quite sure we’re ready to go in the direction he’s pushing!”

As mind-bending as all of these displays may seem, we have to admit that they have a certain charm to them. While we’re still not sure about buying any Hermès products, we have to say that we’re definitely curious about them!

But before we can visit the store, we might need to seek out some therapy first…

Source: Naver Matome
Images: Twitpic (Mariko Tsuruta), Twitter (@hiris914)