SOLAKZADE is a shop that carefully selects and introduces vintage eyewear that is not only beautiful and rare, but also in a condition that allows for modern use, as well as jewelry with museum-quality historical value, from all over the world. A promotion that allows you to experience its overwhelming collection and worldview will finally be held at Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building for the first time in about 5 years. We spoke with Ryuichi Okamoto, who leads this one-of-a-kind shop in partnership with his younger brother Ryu, about SOLAKZADE's philosophy and commitment, and the highlights of the event.

Event Information

Solakzade Trunk Show

□ June 12th (Wed) - 18th (Tue) / Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building 1st Floor = Seasonal Goods & Hats □ June 12th (Wed) - 27th (Thu) / Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building 1st Floor = Jewelry

Tatsumi Okamoto (right) and Ryu (left), who run SOLAKZADE, and manager Riko Yamazaki (center).

Discover your own unique style in the world of "vintage" as taught by SOLAKZADE.

Solakzade was founded in 2005. The founders are brothers Ryusuke and Ryu Okamoto, who are one year apart in age. While traveling the world, including Europe, America, Asia, and the Middle East, their hobby of collecting vintage eyewear grew into a vast collection. They specialize in unused deadstock items ranging from the early 19th century to the end of the 20th century, restoring them as needed to make them "like new" before selling them. With a stock of over 10,000 items at all times, Solakzade is a vintage specialty store unlike any other in the world.

In 2012, the store relocated to Harajuku, Tokyo, and in 2015, it expanded its field to include antique jewelry, gaining immense support not only from fashionistas and vintage collectors around the world, but also from designers and filmmakers seeking new ideas.


"The world and values of Solakzade are not something I created alone. They are the result of constantly pursuing 'what is interesting' while having various conversations with my younger brother Ryu and all the staff on a daily basis. We share the same goal, but we each take on different tasks in the process. My brother and I have very different personalities, in a good way (laughs)."

These are the words of the owner, Ryunosuke, the older brother. The shop, which feels like you've wandered into a museum, is filled with a wide variety of vintage eyewear from all over the world and from all eras. From popular models of major brands that everyone knows to hidden masterpieces and rare pieces that are like works of art, it is possible to have an experience that you can't find anywhere else, as if you are unraveling the magnificent history of eyewear while looking at glasses and sunglasses that are like "witnesses" to that history.

"What we do here with our customers is a 'time travel' and a 'cultural travel' through vintage eyewear. We organize items from the past 200 years into 10-year increments, and systematize them from a thematic cultural perspective, such as the country of manufacture, design, taste, materials, manufacturing methods, or even which famous people wore them."

What's even more surprising is that, regardless of the era, almost all of the products they handle are deadstock, unused items that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also possess the quality to fully fulfill their function as tools.


"Most vintage shops offer products based on current trends. But to us, that just looks like they're clinging to the cutting edge of fashion. We want to convey the essential appeal of eyewear that everyone can enjoy, from a broader, more objective perspective, rather than just focusing on trendy fashion or our favorite eras. To do that, we search for themes that interest us and that we can immerse ourselves in, and then we thoroughly explore them. Once we've examined and organized the items and knowledge to our satisfaction, we put them in a showcase and move on to the next theme—that's the kind of approach we continue to take. Sometimes it's the Ray-Ban brand, sometimes it's 1940s France, and sometimes it's the material of the frames or the manufacturing methods... We want to have a wide variety of options so that anyone can enjoy it in any way they like. I myself get bored easily, so my interests are constantly 'traveling' all over the place (laughs)."


A global buying network that makes literal "time travel" possible, precise appraisals and historical research, an overwhelming worldview, and a realistic ability to make suggestions. Furthermore, restoration and lens processing techniques cultivated through many years of experience present a completely new way to enjoy vintage eyewear, tailored to each individual. That is why Solakzade is a truly one-of-a-kind shop.

NEXT> What kind of jewelry does a pioneer of vintage eyewear propose?