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TOP ISSUE SUITE Laaina Jewelry Director Interview

ISSUE
SUITE
Laaina Jewelry Director Interview

Posted on : Nov 27 , 2025

As part of DEUXIEME CLASSE’s 30th-anniversary celebrations, a dedicated jewelry salon, SUITE, will open inside our Aoyama store.
In this special private space, our knowledgeable staff will be on hand to offer thoughtful guidance, helping each guest find jewelry that truly complements their personal style.

— You’ve both been deeply involved with jewelry at DEUXIEME CLASSE for many years — influencer HIROKO and buyer MIO. Could you tell us about SUITE, a space filled with the two of your passion for jewelry?

“Our concept is ‘fine jewelry for everyday life.’
We wanted people to enjoy high-quality jewelry not only on special occasions but also as a casual part of their daily style. By taking the time to talk with each customer, we hope to help them discover pieces that truly feel like themselves.

Because we approach jewelry as a part of fashion, one of our strengths is the ability to style high jewelry with a T-shirt or knitwear, or to mix pieces—whether jewelry or watches—beyond brand boundaries.”
MIO

— At the heart of SUITE is LAAINA, the DEUXIEME CLASSE exclusive brand directed by the two of you. What message does this collection carry?

“I essentially buy or create pieces that I truly want for myself.
They’re basic and easy to wear every day, yet have subtle design details. They have presence, but they’re never too bold—and they pair beautifully with other jewelry. We realized that this kind of perfectly balanced piece was surprisingly rare, so we decided to bring our ideal into reality.

With exceptional Japanese craftsmanship and refined design, the pieces enable effortless, personal layering.”
MIO

“As someone who directs the brand from the perspective of an influencer, I focus on creating pieces that complement the high jewelry our buyer selects—designs that elevate the overall aesthetic when worn together. Originality is the core concept of LAAINA; we aim to offer designs you won’t find anywhere else.”
HIROKO

— Among them, the “1.0ct Over Diamond Collection,” which features rare diamonds unavailable elsewhere in Japan, has become a major topic among fashion insiders. What were the key points you focused on?

“We searched everywhere for flat, multi-faceted diamonds with unique, irregular shapes—something that feels like it should exist, yet is incredibly hard to find. That search eventually took us all the way to India.

We looked at thousands of diamonds, but there were certain stones that drew me in almost instinctively. We selected about fifty of them, and each felt like a fateful encounter. To honor the individuality of each stone, we designed every piece differently, one by one.

It took a full year from the buying trip to unveiling the collection, but the result is jewelry that truly embodies the modern, distinctive spirit of LAAINA. When it comes to wearing diamonds in everyday life, I believe that a touch of playful design is essential.”
— MIO

“What we value most is achieving the perfect balance.
If the design is too strong, it becomes difficult to layer or wear daily; if it’s too simple, it loses excitement. We want to offer pieces that inspire our customers—something that feels stimulating yet still approachable. We’re always pursuing that ultimate equilibrium.”
— HIROKO

―HIROKO and MIO are true jewelry experts, and today they’re showcasing their signature layering skills once again. What are the key points of their styling?

“I love gleaming gold pieces with a sense of weight, and my personal rule is to keep wearing the same favorites consistently. I often stack a five-band ring with LAAINA’s horizontally-set solitaire diamond ring and a full eternity band with side stones, building vertical volume in my ring styling. I’m also really into long necklaces that can be customized with charms.

In winter, jewelry tends to get hidden under layers, so I recommend wearing a bold bangle over a shirt or knitwear. As for the ear cuff I’m especially attached to, I was particular about the size of the diamonds. I just knew it would look amazing paired with a sharp, uniquely-shaped diamond earring of about one carat.” (MIO)

“Today, I kept my outfit simple and added an edge with jewelry. I layered pieces from LAAINA’s 1-carat series luxuriously, and by wearing two pieces from the Shooting Star series, the look becomes even more graphic. I’ve also collected quite a few pieces from the natural stone series—the colors and designs are just so beautiful. One-of-a-kind pieces truly feel like a once-in-a-lifetime encounter.

I connected two AZLEE chains to create a long necklace and added a bold LAAINA stone ring as a charm. Since I’m wearing blue denim today, matching the colors was a fun little surprise. I like to change up my styling depending on my mood, and the same goes for jewelry—I enjoy layering based on how I feel that day. Jewelry is such a reliable companion; with just minimal adjustments, it can create maximum impact.” (HIROKO)

-Since SUITE operates by complete appointment only, guests can shop in a relaxed, private atmosphere, taking time to consult with us. As jewelry specialists, what kind of service do the two of you offer?”

“Of course, we provide guidance on choosing jewelry and styling it, but we also assist with maintenance, cleaning, resizing, and even special orders. Because these are pieces we wear daily ourselves, we can offer recommendations that feel truly lived-in and realistic. High jewelry is certainly an investment, but it’s timeless. It’s important to imagine not only who you are now, but who you’ll be in five or ten years when making a purchase.

If you feel instinctively drawn to something—even if it requires a little stretch—we want you to cherish that sense of excitement. Jewelry really is about encounters. There’s a unique thrill in feeling ‘called’ by a stone. We’re confident you won’t regret even a bold purchase, and at SUITE we aim to offer an experience that goes far beyond the price itself. That said, we’d be just as happy if people stopped by simply to enjoy a conversation about jewelry rather than feeling like they have to shop.” — MIO

“Jewelry is incredibly personal, so even the same piece can be styled differently by everyone. We propose mix-and-match styling that crosses brand boundaries, along with detailed suggestions tailored to each guest. Since we can help balance jewelry with clothing as well, I think it becomes easier to visualize the full look. This is exactly why it’s meaningful to have a jewelry salon inside a select shop like DEUXIEME CLASSE. It’s a space that didn’t exist before, so please come visit us.” — HIROKO

-With all the passion you both have for jewelry, what kind of story do you hope to weave from here?

“When I travel abroad, I often see women of all ages pairing high jewelry casually with T-shirts or denim. Luxury is seamlessly woven into their everyday lives, and that effortless sophistication is incredibly appealing. It made me want to become the kind of woman who wears fine jewelry as naturally as her own skin. I also hope our customers will feel free to enjoy diamonds and other precious pieces in a more relaxed, everyday way.” — MIO

“Our goal is to continue offering jewelry that feels true to the feminine yet strong woman envisioned by DEUXIEME CLASSE. The name ‘Deuxième Classe’ originally means ‘second class’—not a perfectly composed, head-to-toe branded style, but an intentionally relaxed one with the right amount of ease. I believe that sense of ‘undone’ charm and unexpected combinations is what leads to true self-expression, and it reminds me that there are endless ideas when it comes to style. I hope guests will experience that very essence of fashion at SUITE.” — HIROKO

SUITE — By Appointment Only

We are pleased to announce the opening of SUITE, a new jewelry salon located within the Aoyama store —
a special, luxurious private space designed for an elevated shopping experience.

Our jewelry specialists will guide you with care, offering personalized support to help you find pieces that truly complement your individual style.
※SUITE is available by appointment only. Please make a reservation here.

HIROKO’s Instagram
Aoyama Store Instagram

Contact

Deuxième Classe Aoyama Store
Address: 5-9-15 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo 1F
Tel: 03-6778-8007 (11:00–18:00)

Influencer: HIROKO IWABUCHI
Buyer:MIO MATSUBARA
Interviewer: AKANE CHUMA
Photographer: KAZUKI MIYAMAE