A Store Offering an Array of Fashionable Ayame Eyeglasses, Uniquely, is Open for a Limited Time of Just 263 Days

A designer who conceives of eyeglasses as a fashion item will consider not only how the eyeglasses frame the face, but also how they present the entire person. Such a design balances the eyeglasses with the person’s apparel and lifestyle. As a result, the best decisions will tend to avoid flashiness and flamboyance. The neutral fashions currently in vogue are best served by eyeglasses that offer a casual, unassuming look.

Yu Imaizumi is a designer who values this mode of fashion sensibility. The Ayame brand that he originated cultivates a genial aura, with an emphasis on subtly accentuating the face without drawing undue attention. In this sense, eyeglasses play a role similar to wearing shoes or a hat. Soon after its launch in 2010, Ayame became popular amongst fashion-related people, largely by virtue of his intricate designs, which coordinate perfectly with current wardrobes.

For the first several years, these gems were only available at fashion specialty boutiques, but in October 2018 Imaizumi opened a much-anticipated shop under his direct management in the Minami-Aoyama neighborhood of Tokyo. Inside the spacious, relaxed shop, the collection is shown in an uncrowded, easily inspected arrangement. Things seem so permanent that a first-time visitor might assume, ‘I can purchase an Ayame frame here anytime’, but actually this is a pop-up store for a limited time of 263 days only (about nine months).

Seeing that the ‘Ayame Open 263 Days Only Pop-up Shop’ directly managed by Imaizumi since the October 11, 2018, launch is so appealing, why should he limit it to 263 days? Good question, good reason: the building where room was available is scheduled to be demolished in 263 days. Having long wanted to utilize the ample space, Imaizumi decided to open the first shop solely dedicated to the Ayame brand.

The room, which used to be someone’s home, has been arranged with the standard equipment of an optician’s store, including optical examination devices and grinding machines. There is even a sofa, offering a leisurely shopping experience. ‘I wanted to create something different from the ordinary optician’s store’, says Imaizumi. Once the shop closes, he’s open to other possibilities: ‘If only I can find the right location… Actually, I’m checking out places right now. I want to provide on-going service for anyone who makes a purchase here’. It all starts by making a visit and experiencing the Ayame world of quality vision!