Why Dior’s Tokyo store doesn’t target Chinese tourists
House of Dior Ginza occupies five floors and is neighbour to Celine, Saint Laurent and Valentino
Underlining Dior’s connection with Japan, which is an “important market” for the fashion brand, Chiuri drew her inspiration from cherry blossoms and Christian Dior’s 1953 “Jardin japonais” dress for her latest creations.
House of Dior Ginza’s champagne-fuelled opening on Wednesday comes as spending by visitors to Japan is at record levels, but growth has slowed due partly to Chinese tourists buying less.
But Sidney Toledano, chief executive of Christian Dior Couture, told Reuters he was not concerned about cycles in tourism, which he has seen go through many phases during two decades running the French fashion house.
“What we want to do in Japan is look for the local market. We look for the Japanese customers,” who have long been “super customers for luxury and high fashion,” he said.
“Our business is not based on the tourist business ... my objective always in a country is to have a very strong local plan,” said Toledano, who is also CEO of Christian Dior SE , the holding company for luxury group LVMH.