Following the success of London's Dover Street Market, first opened in 2004, Comme des Garcons' Rei Kawakubo and Adrian Joffe have opened up a 6-floor second base in Tokyo...
Who? Following the success of London's Dover Street Market, first opened in 2004, Comme des Garçons' Rei Kawakubo has opened up a second base in Tokyo. The 6-storey store will stock Comme des Garçons lines, alongside labels including Azzedine Alaïa, Céline, Yves Saint Laurent, Alexander McQueen, Supreme, Raf Simons, New Balance and Givenchy.
What? Like its London counterpart, Dover Street Market Ginza occupies an historic building – a former department store built in 1946. Boasting double the floor space of London, the new space carries the original DSM philosophy. "I want to create a kind of market where various creators from various fields gather together and encounter each other in an ongoing atmosphere of beautiful chaos: the mixing up and coming together of different kindred souls who all share a strong personal vision," explained Kawakubo who designed and conceived the new venture. Many of the defining elements from London, including the iconic "hut", have been incorporated into its design, alongside new architectural features such as a plaster sculpture by artist Kohei Nawa entitled Pulse.
"Many of the defining elements from London, including the iconic "hut", have been incorporated into its design, alongside new architectural features"
Why? The Comme des Garçons team have a unique approach to retail – carefully curated merchandise, clever methods of display and retail assistants who are passionate and knowledgeable about their products. One of the most interesting aspects of Comme des Garçons (and DSM) is their emphasis on collaboration – Kawakubo handpicks the designers they will stock and the company has developed relationships with both established and emerging artists, inviting them to create unique in-store installations. For the Ginza launch, set designer Michael Howells created Scenes of the Wasp Factory; artist Andy Hillman created a Visvim mural with a giant rose; and Michael Samuels who is known for his contemporary bricolage has created briliant cupboard fitting rooms. The lifesize Indian elephant made of clay by Stephanie Quayle, once featured in the London windows, now stars in the Ginza Louis Vuitton display, curated by Kim Jones and Alister Mackie.
Michael Samuels' exhibition Tragedy of the Commons is showing at London's Rokeby Gallery until May 12.
Text by Laura Bradley
