Park Slope is about to get even more creative with the grand opening of the reimagined Brooklyn Beauty and Fashion Laboratory, a Japanese-American innovation hub, on June 21.
Members of J-Collabo — an art network and coalition of Japanese makers — are teaming up to revive their mission of being a sustainable bridge between Brooklyn, Japan and the world.
Brooklynites have long enjoyed the space, formerly a Japanese supermarket, but partners are expanding to include a sushi bar, cafe and bakery, and a newly launched fashion workshop on the basement level.
Rickey Davy, one of the partners on the business’ fashion side, said this all-embracing “labo” — the term partners are using to refer to the style laboratory — aims to serve as a celebration of the Brooklyn and Japanese lifestyle.
“In a lot of ways the two cultures mesh together,” Davy told Brooklyn Paper. “We found each other and I think it works because Brooklyn is so diverse.”
Both the food and fashion centers will feature Brooklyn-exclusive brands as well as authentic Japanese products. Storefronts will spread across three floors, a basement workshop and a rooftop.
Brands plan to take advantage of joint workshops and other collaborations, including an upcoming lifestyle product line with beauty goods, fashion exclusives and food.
This is just one of the many creations to come out of the labo, according to Davy.
“It’s a great mix of culture,” he said. “The community and products bring a lot to the table regarding fashion and entertainment.”
The new Brooklyn Beauty and Fashion Laboratory, located at 300 Seventh St., will officially open for creatives this Friday, from noon to 4 p.m.
