It's not often that I get to write about a shop that really gets me excited, but Colour By Numbers pushes more than a few of my buttons. It debuted in Daikanyama two weeks ago, one year to the day after the opening of its Aoyama sister store Loveless, and carries a big selection of creations by Japan-based designers -- which is something that Tokyo needs more of.
While Loveless is composed of three incongruent spaces -- filled respectively with monogrammed luggage by Goyard, cheery womenswear and imported pret-a-porter -- its new offshoot is one clean open space. Another big difference is the all-white interior, a stark contrast to its older sibling's dungeonesque look.
The crucial distinction, though, is what's on the racks. Whereas Loveless offers a hodgepodge selection of high-end items (anyone for a Paco Rabanne chainmail dress?), Colour By Numbers focuses on practical daywear with a design twist. And instead of past-it Europeans (like Helmut Lang and Capucci), there is a host of fresh young talent, much of it from Tokyo.