A Sense of Place: Visiting Comoli
COLLEZIONE Building 2F, 6-1-3 Minami-aoyama
Minato-ku, Tokyo
Stepping into COMOLI's Aoyama store, you notice that light, space, and objects are in careful balance. Nothing is forced or overembellished. It sits inside Collezione, a building designed by Tadao Ando in 1989—a brutalist, maze-like plaza that balances raw material and open space with quiet imposition. The store feels similar, hidden away on the second floor, there's no overt merchandising or display logic. Exposed concrete and unfinished columns are softened by filtered light and long white curtains. Things are left open, but intentional.
As one close associate of the brand put it, "There was no excess, no forced storytelling, just space to observe, touch, and feel." They remembered the natural light, the careful arrangement of garments, and "how the staff moved with quiet precision."
Founded by Keijiro Komori, his brand COMOLI moves at its own pace, guided by seasonality and a sense of place. What might seem understated at first reveals depth through restraint. The garments carry weight through material, cut, and context—made to feel right for the climate they're worn in.
COMOLI doesn't try to express too much. The space leaves room to think—choosing what to reveal, and what to hold back. In our conversation with Keijiro Komori, he offers a look into COMOLI's interior, both the environment it inhabits and the thinking that shapes it.
"Nothing is overly explained or too accommodating, which I appreciate, because when things are too easy or overly kind, people stop thinking."
On mornings at the COMOLI store or office
I don't like spaces that feel stiff or overly formal, so I try to create a more relaxed atmosphere—whether that's through music or simply setting an easy, comfortable tone.
Choosing a home base in Aoyama
I love this street. It doesn't change with passing trends, and there's greenery, it's beautiful. There's nothing unpleasant to the eye. It's one of Tokyo's iconic fashion areas, but slightly removed from the main street. That balance, neither mainstream nor underground, is exactly why I chose it.
Parallels with Tadao Ando's architecture
It feels like there's a reason behind every detail. Nothing is overly explained or too accommodating—which I appreciate, because when things are too easy or overly kind, people stop thinking. I see a similarity in COMOLI as well; there's a sense of restraint, in how the brand presents and sells itself, never revealing everything. That subtle withholding invites curiosity.
Translating the brand into physical space
The moment you step inside, there's a quiet tension—a sense of having left the noise of the outside world behind. It's both open and bold, with a comforting stillness. It feels like COMOLI's clothing translated into space. I'm drawn to the raw structure itself, the textures, the materials, and above all, the sense of spaciousness and restraint that fills the entire room.
How environment shapes experience
I believe the relationship between a space and the objects placed within it is incredibly important. At the COMOLI shop, it's not just about the clothing or the fixtures—it's also about the sound that fills the space, the presence of the staff, and the intentional use of negative space. Every element is carefully balanced. As a brand's retail space, it's more than just a place to view COMOLI's garments. It's a space where customers can truly experience and feel the entire world of COMOLI.
Designing for climate, not calendar
Just as style should suit the time, place, and occasion, I like to wear clothes that feel right for the season, comfortable in my own way.
On change and evolution in the space
It's been six years. I'm not sure if I would call it evolution, but by creating a space of our own, we've been able to make the world of COMOLI more visible—easier to imagine and understand on a deeper level than before.
Ending the day
I find peace in quiet bars, sipping a drink and letting my mind settle.
A daily return
Figaro Café, just near our office, is the kind of place I find myself wanting to visit at least once a day.
