MANILA, Philippines — A little quirky slice of Japan lands in Manila!

niko and…, the beloved Japanese lifestyle and clothing brand known for its curated mix of timeless fashion, unique home finds, and quirky accessories, opened at the Level 3, South Wing Main Mall, SM Mall of Asia on Friday, December 13.

Helmed by Adastria Co, niko and… calls itself a “style editorial brand,” according to its Japan website — think hip apparel, practical items, and knick-knacks with a “sense of humor.” It’s a concept that encourages customers to “encounter unexpected surprises and discoveries that will eventually fit their lifestyle” from its range of clothing, miscellaneous goods, furniture, and food and beverages.

What to expect? For fashion lovers, niko and… Philippines specializes in simple and casual wear for men and women; palette colors leaning towards earthy, nature-inspired tones like whites, greens, yellows, and beiges — but with quirky yet subtle designs and pops of color that make the pieces stand out. The price ranges are above mid-level (P1,500 for a shirt; P3,000 for a sweater, and almost P4,000 for jeans), but they are justifiable considering the fabric, quality, fit, and uniqueness of design.

A tour of the space

Step into niko and… at SM MOA, and you’re greeted with a clean, airy space thoughtfully divided into its own designated sections (men, women, home) for relaxed and casual browsing.

For the women’s section, expect a mix of oversized, comfy fashion staples and sleek, sheer pieces. The clothing sizes lean towards Medium and Large, so if you’re a petite girly like me, you might find the fits a bit baggy and oversized.

It took a while to find a fit that worked for me, since I veer towards more fitted tops, sundresses, and shorts; niko and… is more on full-length dresses and skirts, loose sweaters, cardigans, long-sleeved blouses, cozy pants, and boxy polos that are great for stylish yet laid-back looks.

But there’s variety here, too! I spotted a few cute crop tops, some mini-skirts, funky shoes, casual t-shirts, and delicate see-through tops for layering.

The tiy nie yee corner is a tiny treasure trove for girly accessories. There are several sparkly, pastel-colored finds – from earrings, puffer bags, wallets, bracelets, hair ties, and more.

Need something extra for the winter abroad? Shelves of hats, boots, and jackets await.

The men’s section reflects niko and…’s signature relaxed and refined vibe, with staple pieces prioritizing comfort and style. There are casual polos, t-shirts, versatile jackets, caps, hats, boots, jeans, and more.

The brand’s homeware section is a must-visit for decor enthusiasts and anyone looking for quirky gift ideas. Check out the rows of Christmas decor, candles, incense holders, and ceramics straight from Japan, as well chopsticks, placemats, funny poster art, and eccentric ceramic mugs of animals.

There are also notebooks, stickers, planners, pens, coloring materials, calendars, and other office essentials.

Near the cashier area, niko and… has its own café (just like in Japan) with niko and… coffee. Having a cup of coffee in between shopping is ideal — there’s coffee and lattes (Cafe, Caramel, Oat, Americano, Mocha) that range from P120 to P180.

For something sweeter and cold, they have frappes in Chocolate Berry, Chocolate Cookie, Mango Vanilla, Matcha, and Strawberry Matcha for P160 to P180.

You can also have soft serve ice cream for P150 or treat yourself to niko and…’s Philippine-exclusive Ube Mont Blanc for P250. Vanilla ice cream is topped with a generous serving of creamy ube jam strips — it is a very sweet treat, since both elements are sweetened individually.

niko and… is a carefully curated shopping experience that can last you for hours (I lost track of time, too), bringing a refreshing and eclectic blend of Japanese minimalism and well-loved quirkiness to Metro Manila. – Rappler.com