We discover Phoebe English's new installation for Dover Street Market New York
This weekend, Dover Street Market New York launched New Beginning, an in-store installation designed by London-based designer Phoebe English. “It tells a story of my personal interests,” English explains. “I wanted to convey a light, surreal and poetic shopping environment, a small piece of drama to come across whilst wandering around the incredible emporium that is Dover Street Market New York.” English worked with friend and collaborator Philip Cooper to build a monochromatic dislay of smashed plaster, rough steel, acrylic rods and gold sheet acrylic. Elements of English’s past collections crop up throughout the installation: knotted cord is reminiscent of her S/S14 collection of entwined fabrics, while her obsession with circus and trapeze artistry is easy to spot in the conceptual garments that hang from the metal rods, as though suspended in air. Here, AnOther speaks to English about the installation and her inspirations alongside an exclusive look at the working drawings for the space.
What inspired your installation for DSMNY?
The inspiration stemmed from ongoing elements which interest me each time I approach a collection, which came together to form the basis of this space: temporality, chaos versus control and weight versus weightlessness. It was about balancing the ethos of how I work creatively with the reality of shopping. I love the huge glass utilitarian elevator which dominates the centre of the ground floor. I wanted something smashed, broken and raw to contrast against this glass moving box, hence the cliff cascade.
Do you have a favourite item in the DSM store?
I always find myself trying to be on the jewellery floor as much as I can without looking like a jewel stalker. The jewellery space is like a miniature sculpture hall and it completely transports you. It’s this feeling of transportability in the Dover Street Market stores that is so special, you travel into so many different worlds.
"It was about balancing the ethos of how I work creatively with the reality of shopping" — Phoebe English
What was the last thing that inspired you?
In the past couple of months I have been slowly accumulating a collection of vinyl, buying albums which have been soundtracks to important parts of my life so far. I think it has really become a memory project actually. There is something so definite about owning music in the format of a physical large square sleeve. I like how big the album art looks, and I think for me it is about committing to the memories I have and accepting the person I was and am now as I buy each one. I don't actually own a record player, but it doesn't seem to matter to me that I can’t listen to them.
Text by Mhairi Graham
