TOGA XTC

Harajuku's fashion-forward label Toga reaches back in time with a vintage boutique across the street.

In Tokyo's vivacious fashion district of Harajuku, the Toga flagship store can be found in a garage space amidst high-end boutiques and specialty shops. Directly in front of Toga stands a peculiar hut, a vintage shop called Toga XTC, the newest addition to the ever-expanding Toga line. "There is another line of Toga called Toga Picta," says ambitious founder and designer Yasuko Furuta. "The Toga Picta clothes are special pieces in limited edition, which are 'remakes' of second-hand clothes. We decided that Toga should open a shop entirely dedicated to vintage." Thus, Toga XTC was born, selling collected clothing, shoes, and accessories ("We have some great vintage cotton mini dresses and school jackets!") mainly originating from Europe and the States. But unlike many vintage shops, which tend to sell pieces untouched—no matter how destroyed or misshapen they may become over time—Toga XTC resize and repair clothing if needed, according to Furuta's direction, injecting new, wearable life into a classic find. As for Toga XTC's prime location, albeit an atypical set-up, Furuta expains, "Today, people from all over the world—of any age, sex or culture—come and visit Harajuku. So we hope that the Toga XTC will become like a souvenir shop!"

Toga XTC
1F 6-31-10 Jingumae Shibuya-ku
Tokyo 150-0001 Japan
tel. + 81 3 6419 8136
toga.jp

JINNIE LEE

This story was published on July 19, 2007.