ALMOSTBLACK opens its first pop-up in Toranomon, with archives and live sashiko
Running October 25–November 8, the Tokyo store brings together new clothes, designer collections and archives, with POST SASHIKO appearing on November 7–8.
ALMOSTBLACK will open its first pop-up store in Tokyo’s Toranomon district from October 25 to November 8, 2026. Designer Shunta Nakajima is bringing more than the latest collection: the space will also contain brand archives, vintage clothing and pieces by Japanese and international designers from his own collection. Together, they offer a concentrated view of his approach to clothing and selection, connecting new garments with the ideas behind them.
How do new pieces and a private collection relate?
A current collection expresses what a brand wants to say now; an archive provides a comparison. Which silhouettes have persisted, which treatments have been explored, and how have proportions changed over time? Adding Nakajima’s collected designer pieces and vintage clothing means these relationships need not be read only chronologically. What the designer has kept, and chooses to show again, offers another way into the clothes.
The announcement does not provide a complete inventory, dates, sizes or prices for the collected pieces. “Archive” should therefore not be read as a discount, nor should every item from the private collection be assumed to be a rare one-off. Anyone seeking a particular older design should check in store. Examining construction, condition and how a garment fits an existing wardrobe is more useful than pursuing an undefined limited-edition label.
POST SASHIKO joins the final weekend
On November 7 and 8, the final weekend of the pop-up, sashiko artist POST SASHIKO will work on items purchased by visitors. The activity brings shoppers closer to the making process: a finished garment can acquire localised texture and a personal mark through stitching. The announcement does not list every available technique, the number of places or additional charges, so unlimited availability or free participation should not be assumed.
Sashiko’s visual effect comes from the spacing, direction and density of stitches, rather than the broad surface of a printed graphic. Placement on a jacket can redirect the eye; stitching beside an existing seam can make its construction more visible. These are ways of reading the craft, while feasible positions, completion time and the finished result must be assessed by staff on site.
Address and opening days in Toranomon
The store is on the first floor of the SVAX TT Building, 3-11-15 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo. Announced hours are 1pm–7pm, with Mondays and Tuesdays closed. The October 25–November 8 period therefore does not mean the shop opens every day. Visitors on a short Tokyo trip should check the closed days before building an itinerary around the dates.
Purchasers may also receive an original tote bag or a drink voucher, with quantities limited and availability dependent on the day’s arrangements. The central attraction remains the clothes: the connections between new work, earlier designs and collected pieces, and the way stitching can keep a finished garment evolving. Pre-opening imagery shows enveloping black forms and pronounced zipper lines, rather than a complete stock list. Contact the brand beforehand if seeking something specific.
