24th of August

24TH OF AUGUST is an independent avant-garde fashion store in Osaka, Japan, bringing together Japanese and international designers through a deeply personal approach to curation, with a particular focus on craftsmanship, material experimentation and highly individual forms of expression.

At the heart of its story is Takayoshi Yamanami, founder of the artisanal jewelry label DETAJ. Originally working as a fashion buyer, Yamanami began creating jewelry in 1995 after struggling to find pieces that reflected what he was looking for himself. What started as a personal response developed into DETAJ: an ongoing exploration of metal, material and functional beauty, with pieces handmade in the label’s own atelier.

That instinct to look beyond what is readily available, and to create something when it cannot be found, also helps explain the philosophy behind 24TH OF AUGUST. DETAJ forms part of the creative foundation from which the store and its wider selection have evolved.

The store takes its name from another moment of transformation. After its previous incarnation closed on August 24, the project began again as 24TH OF AUGUST, carrying with it the idea that “the end is the beginning.” The philosophy fits a space shaped by continuous discovery, experimentation and renewal.

Located beneath the streets of Osaka in a renovated underground space formerly used by a pharmaceutical company, 24TH OF AUGUST has an atmosphere of its own. The unusual setting provides a fitting backdrop for designers who approach clothing and objects with a strong personal vision.

Its assortment spans different generations, countries and disciplines. Designers such as ARCHIVIO J.M. Ribot, A DICIANNOVEVENTITRE, Ann Demeulemeester, Biek Verstappen, By Walid, Casey Casey, Cherevichkiotvichki, Daniel Andresen, Geoffrey B. Small, GUIDI, individual sentiments, Isaac Sellam Experience, John Alexander Skelton, Kuboraum, Marc Le Bihan, NOSAPLUNA, Rigards, tagliovivo, Toogood and Uma Wang sit alongside DETAJ and a changing selection of independent and emerging names.

The designers come from different backgrounds and follow very different creative paths, yet common threads run through the selection: process, material, individuality, handwork, unconventional construction, distinctive textiles and a willingness to experiment. The store’s curation reflects the same curiosity that originally led Yamanami to create DETAJ: the search for objects with character and a strong connection to the people who make them.

This perspective extends beyond clothing. Footwear, jewelry, eyewear, accessories, fragrance and objects all form part of the environment. The history of 24TH OF AUGUST also reaches into original production, customization and remaking. Collaborations between DETAJ and designers connected to the store add another layer to this exchange between fashion, craftsmanship and creative practice.

24TH OF AUGUST sees its physical location as a place for creators and different forms of artistic expression. Events bring new ideas and people into the space, expanding its role beyond the everyday rhythm of a fashion store. Since 2022, natural wine has also become part of the selection, adding another expression of independent production, craft and personal taste.

For anyone exploring avant-garde and artisanal fashion in Osaka, 24TH OF AUGUST offers a particularly rich point of discovery. Its underground setting, connection with DETAJ and expansive international selection have created a store with a clear identity: curious, independent and deeply interested in the people, processes and materials behind the things it presents.

From DETAJ’s beginnings in a buyer’s search for jewelry he could not find elsewhere to the constantly evolving world of 24TH OF AUGUST, one idea continues throughout: the most interesting things often begin with the search for something that does not yet exist.