I’ve worked as an editor since the bubble era of the 1980s, but as a shopper, as the years have gone by, I’ve become quite prudent. If the job of a fashion editor is to set consumption trends, then I might be something of a maverick. Given the nature of the job, though, I do have a good eye. I don’t buy this, that, and the other thing. I’m a selective buyer. I only buy what I know is right and I wear it for a long time. Ultimately, what I buy stays with me and becomes a real part of my wardrobe.

My prudent approach is nice for the times we live in. We feel more free to speak out about the negative impact the fashion industry has had on the environment over time. Clothes that are made but don’t sell are thrown out. The volume of waste is reportedly equivalent to one truck load per second; the carbon dioxide emitted by incinerating clothing accounts for 10% of the world total.

With all that said, I was recently cheered by a runway breaking news for Dior in Paris. It detailed a brand project in which 170 trees would be deployed, like a forest, on a runway just for one day; after the show, the trees would be planted in suburban locations around Paris. Gardens and plants are the collection’s theme. The idea for this presentation arose when artistic director Maria Grazia Chiuri asked herself what she herself could do at the moment.

Until recently, there’s been a general sense that special concerns for the environment are confined to people interested in organic products or living ecologically sound lifestyles. This is changing significantly, and the Dior project is symbolic, I think, of this change. I was impressed. And now I have this budding resolve: If I’m going to buy something, let it be Dior.

House of Dior Ginza at GINZA SIX, which faces Chuo-dori avenue and takes up five floors from the first underground to the fourth, currently features the brand’s 2020 cruise collection prominently at the store front.

Luxury brands like Dior put out basics every season, something I always have my eyes on. The materials and sewing are top drawer; if I find something right for me, it’s good for the long term.

Among the new pieces is this navy day dress (580,000 yen; all prices listed before tax), which I try on.

The ladylike silhouette created by the skirt fanning out with some verve from the waist is like a Dior icon. The material is a supple silk shantung. The design is minimal, sans ornamentation, but achieves the ultimate in elegance. Add a Lady Dior bag (370,000 yen) and patent leather pumps (112,000 yen) for true authenticity. The white bag in the foreground (390,000 yen) is the brand’s 30 Montaigne.

The simplicity lets you match it with different accessories to create different looks.

Here we see an ethnic print headband (41,500 yen), a densely embroidered Lady Dior bag (650,000 yen), and rustic thong sandals (73,000 yen). And this belt with the CD logo (225,000 yen) has such a strong presence. They all call to mind Marrakesh, one of the inspirations behind the cruise collection.

Dior’s fine jewelry— always magnificent pieces—are designed by Victoire de Castellane.

This necklace with a moon on the back and sun on the front (590,000 yen) is from the Rose Select collection, inspired by astrology, one of Monsieur Dior’s passions. Of course, it’s something you could wear for many years.

The fourth floor is the lifestyle floor. I love tea, and I’m always charmed by Dior’s elegant tea sets. The black-and-white Monsieur Dior collection was designed by Christian Dior himself. The Check series is the brand’s new capsule collection. Like the fall/winter women’s collection, it’s inspired by the Teddy Girls of 1950s Britain.

My taste in food is also traditional. I’ll take traditional flavors over the elegance of an elaborate presentation. At GINZA SIX, I often go to The Pie Hole Los Angeles on the second belowground floor.

The Pie Hole is a pie specialist out of LA. All the pies here are made by hand from secret recipes passed down through the founder’s family for five generations. The flagship in Los Angeles is a known haunt of Hollywood celebrities.

The eat-in area at lunchtime fills up immediately, alongside flocks of take-out customers. I eat at irregular hours, so I often take tea at a late hour in place of lunch. My standard order is the classic apple pie—Mom’s Apple Crumble (480 yen). The shop also boasts its own organic coffee, but I’m a tea person, so I have hot organic tea.

The apple pie is plenty sweet. It’s perfect for times when you want to raise your blood sugar levels just a bit. The portions aren’t that big—they’re just right. The crisp, crumbly texture combined with the moist filling is delicious—addictive, even.

When I’m in the mood for pie that isn’t sweet, I choose the Shepherd’s Pie (420 yen), a traditional hot pie filled with ground beef and mashed potatoes. The soft, creamy potatoes warm your heart. The food is simple, but it’s made with care by hand. Small daily delights like this enrich the soul.

Lastly today, I go to Theory on the fourth floor. My everyday style is simple; I usually wear pants with minimal coordination. This brand’s systematic wardrobe shares commonalities with my own approach.

I enter the store and immediately encounter eco-friendly Good Wool jackets (48,000 yen) and pants (28,000 yen). They’re made by an Italian workshop, drawing on a hundred years of history, using high-quality merino wool woven with the latest energy-saving technologies. A popular line worldwide, this variety of colors is available only here at GINZA SIX in Japan.

Theory sources the world’s top materials for its other products, too. Quality of material is essential in determining whether something is worn for many years. I try on the reversible mouton coat (320,000 yen). There’s no collar, so it’s easy to throw it on, nonchalantly. To transform the coat, turn the furry side out.

I also like this long-haired alpaca knit (39,000 yen) and its uniquely toned brown borders.

The spacious store lets you shop at a leisurely pace while experiencing the world of Theory.

The store also uses the space to hold “Be Heard” talks on Theory’s activities, in support of working women. The sales attendant with me today conveys the brand’s passion: “We don’t just want to sell things; we want to be a store that provides something more.”

It’s possible to shop online these days to just the right amount. Why go to actual stores? It’s to experience what you can’t experience elsewhere. Like Theory, GINZA SIX as a whole makes social contributions only GINZA SIX can. I think it is wonderful to see such initiatives continue to expand.

Text：Kyoko Hiraku　Photos：Kanako Noguchi　Edit：Yuka Okada