Dover Street Market and its magic

On this slow and lazy Monday, I’m going through some archives of news clippings I’ve kept for bedtime reading.  Well, better late than never because this piece of news gives me time to plan for my next vacation.  A seven storey Dover Street Market will open in Tokyo’s Ginza shopping district in March 2012 and I want to be there!

It’s hard to believe that it was 41 years ago that Rei Kawakubo started Commes des Garçons because the brand is still ahead of many others.  It is forward-looking and remains so in today’s fashion landscape, which proves that Kawakubo’s theory of “creating something that didn’t exist before” hasn’t changed one bit.

One of the highlights of my London trip was my visit to Dover Street Market.  I’m surprised at the number of labels the store carries; from Alexander Wang to Yves Saint Laurent.  The store features both established fashion houses, as well as more experimental and younger labels, bringing true meaning to the term ‘market’.  It’s worth a visit when you are in London.

In Kawakubo’s words, “Fashion is something you attach to yourself, put on, and through that interaction the meaning of it is born. Without the wearing of it, it has no meaning…”  Ahhh, words that carry true meaning for anyone genuinely passionate about fashion.

X Sybil

(Images from Dover Street Market)

Colette: Mildly amusing

Usually when I return from a vacation (especially if it is Japan), I feel inspired and enthused with new ideas for outfits, new acquisitions (of course!) and new perspectives on art and design.  Thus, I expected that much from a trip to London and Paris, especially with renowned museums in London and a fashion capital like Paris but alas!  I did not feel stimulated; rather I was bored and slightly annoyed at the number of H&M stores on one street.

In Paris, I visited Colette, a fairly well-curated retail store that has unfortunately turned into a tourist attraction.  Its directional signage starts at the Metro station.  Its selection of garments feature Valentino, YSL , Lanvin and many more usual suspects.  The only exception is that the collection is primarily black.  However, in my opinion, categorisation by colour does not necessarily form a look book that is coherent in style.  A closer look and one would realise that the minimalist Lanvin coat really does not belong beside the Valentino jacket with lace, silk and chiffon.

Nonetheless, the store impresses with its range of accessories and objects such as CDs, DVDs and books.  Mostly overpriced but such great fun to browse through, the store is worth one visit and repeat visits only if you have too much time in Paris because the online shop is so much more fun to shop at, minus the crowd and the noise.  Who cares if you don’t get to rub shoulders with the chic-looking store assistants, they are not very friendly anyway.  If you pay so much, you should at least enjoy some comfort.

X Sybil

(Images from Colette)