From Shibuya to the World: A Rising Legwear Brand

Vol.23 Shiori Tanaka (Sock designer)

2026.05.15

Walking through the city, my eyes fell to her feet. A tiny flower stitched into her socks. Subtle, yet composed. It seemed to bloom with quiet conviction, each thread carrying the maker’s intent. Our guest, Shiori Tanaka, is the designer behind legwear labels laceflowersocks and Flower of the Mountain. After studying fashion at a vocational school in Shibuya, she refined her skills as a shop assistant and in-house designer before going independent. As we visit her favorite spots, we ask about the source of her ideas and where everything begins.

From Handmade Clothes To the World of Fashion

“I live in Gunma now, so I’m not as familiar with Shibuya anymore. Back in school, I spent more time around Shinjuku. I still remember those afternoons, the cherry blossoms in Shinjuku Gyoen.” Sock designer Shiori Tanaka shares this as we begin our walk. She is referring to Bunka Fashion College, a vocational school that has produced many leading designers. “I never set out to become a designer; I just wanted to make clothes. My mother used to sew children’s clothing by hand, so it felt natural for me to want to do the same. I was actually terrible at home economics,” she laughs. “There were constant assignments, and late nights were the norm, but what stayed with me most was the joy of studying fashion.”

Like lace flowers tucked into a bouquet.

“After graduating, my first job was in Shibuya, at a select shop inside SHIBUYA PARCO that carried imported brands. I worked in sales, mainly with fashion accessories, and we stocked many kinds of socks.” Through that experience, Tanaka realized she wanted to be closer to the act of making. She wanted to plan, design, and create. She later joined a sock manufacturer in Ebisu, gained experience as an in-house designer, then launched her very own brand, laceflowersocks. “I named the brand after lace flowers, the kind that quietly adorn a bouquet. I often draw inspiration from the colors of flowers, and I value a delicate, understated mood. That’s why when I first visited the ower shop Whole in Yoyogi-Hachiman, I fell in love right away with its world and its selection. The owner, Tsuna, is a friend, and I often ask her to style flowers for my shoots."

A Vintage Shop Shaping Fashion

We leave Shinjuku Gyoen and head across Shibuya toward Higashi-Kitazawa. At the end of the walk is the vintage shop Angie La La, a place closely tied to Tanaka’s work. “We held a laceflowersocks pop-up here in January. The vintage pieces that the owner, Sakuma, brings back from the UK align perfectly with the world I want to express through my socks. She has deep knowledge of British vintage, so every visit feels like a lesson. It also inspires my designs. And this white shirt I’m wearing today, I actually found it here. I had to have it. It’s one of my favorites."

The Resilience Seen in Alpine Flowers

“Other than spots like Whole and Angie La La, Shibuya feels almost unfamiliar to me now. I moved to Gunma because I wanted to live closer to the mountains. As I became more absorbed in hiking, what began to carry me through the tougher stretches were the small alpine flowers blooming at my feet. They have a fleeting beauty and a quiet resilience, something quite different from the carefully tended owers you see in shops. I wanted to bring that sense of life force into my designs, which led me to launch Flower of the Mountain as a second line.” “I often buy cookie assortments and sweet potato treats from Chez Lui in Daikanyama as gifts when I travel for work. I’ve relied on this place since my days working in Ebisu. Another go-to lunch spot from that era is Udon Yamacho, also in Ebisu. The menu has changed over the years, but yes… it’s still incredibly good. It takes me back to when I first turned my hand to designing socks.”

Tanaka sees socks as the unsung heroes of everyday life

List

1	Shinjuku Gyoen 11 Naito-cho, Shinjuku, Tokyo ☎︎03-3350-0151 Official Web↗ Though often associated with Shinjuku, the southern part of the park extends into Shibuya. A true urban oasis frequented by wild birds, it offers seasonal displays of cherry blossoms and other flora throughout the year.
2	Bunka Fashion College 3-22-1 Yoyogi, Shibuya, Tokyo ☎︎03-3299-2211 Official Web↗ A vocational school specializing in fashion and apparel. Tanaka cites the library as one of her favorite haunts. Aside from events like the school festival, access is restricted to students and affiliated personnel.
3	whole L' Espoir Yoyogipark 103, 25-8 Moto-Yoyogi, Shibuya, Tokyo ☎︎03-6407-0660 Official Web↗ A flower shop attached to the hair salon AWRY BY THE MANNER. Tanaka-san has collaborated here on events and pop-ups.
4	Angie La La 3-26-7 Uehara, Shibuya, Tokyo A highly discerning vintage shop near the border with Setagaya, featuring hand-picked items from the UK and beyond.
5	Chez Lui – Daikanyama 23-2 Sarugaku-cho, Shibuya, Tokyo ☎︎03-3476-3853 Official Web↗ A long-standing patisserie in Daikanyama celebrating over 50 years. Perfect for a small indulgence or a discerning gift.
6	Udon Yamacho – Ebisu 1-1-5 Ebisu, Shibuya, Tokyo ☎︎03-3443-1701 A popular spot tucked away on a quiet alley. Lunch sets come with generous small dishes and a tempura assortment.

Profile

Shiori Tanaka

Born in Saitama and now based in Gunma, Shiori Tanaka is a sock designer. As a child, she dreamed of running a flower shop, and after studying at Bunka Fashion College, she discovered a passion for socks. Following stints at select shops and a sock manufacturer, she went independent in 2019, relaunching laceflowersocks—a line of delicately knitted socks that feel like luxury with every wear. Her love of hiking inspired her second line, Flower of the Mountain, launched in 2021. Her creations are available at select stores across Japan and online. @laceflowersock

all streets shibuya