Dover Street Market

On Saturday, 22-​August-​2015, (3pm-​4pm) the actress and former model, Chloë Sevigny did a public appearance, at the Dover Street Market shop in Mayfair.
The «Kids» & «American Psycho» actress, was signing copies of her self-​titled photo book, called, «Chloë Sevigny» — which is published by Rizzoli Books and it’s in hardback cover.
The celebrity event was, in fact quite sudden. So I’ve been advised upon.
The level of customer service at Dover Street Market (DSM) is expectationally superb and staff are always welcoming to all their customers; especially if a customer is prepared to part with their hard-​earned wages.
Dover Street Market (DSM) is probably the only main flagship store in the UK and stocks «Play by Comme des Garçons»

Trendy high end clothing spot with the likes of Alexander wang, commes des garçons, Celine and other high end designers. Four floors with a small little café on the top floor. Every floor was laid out in a nice easy flow that allowed you to walk from section to section without feeling overwhelmed by the selection.

This reminds me of Fred Segal in Los Angeles and Colette in Paris. Pretty cool selection of high end designers. I didn’t see a lot of buying going on and the crowd seemed a bit young. There were a lot of staff members. Some were smiling, many weren’t.

Ihr werdet mir jetzt vielleicht nicht glauben, aber ich habe heute genau hier Paul McCartney gesehen und ihm die Hand geschüttelt.
… und so fing alles an:
In der Dover Street wimmelt es von tollen Designer-​Läden, wie dem Acne oder A.P.C. Store.
Zwischen den tollen Läden befindet sich der Dover Street Market.
Die Schaufenster sind künstlerisch gestaltet und am Eingang befinden sich künstlerische Plastiken.
Auf 2 Stockwerken veteilen sich Designer-​Ware für Mann und Frau. Von Comme des Garcons bis zu Eytys Schuhen gibt’s dort alles was das Herz begehrt.
Außer Kleidung und Schuhen wird hier hochpreisiger Schmuck angeboten.
Nachdem wir das Erdgeschoss unsicher gemacht haben, wollten wir uns ins Untergeschoss begeben. An der Treppe stand Paul und ist gerade pfeifend die Stufen hoch gelaufen.

I like CDG, Rick Owens, Hussein Chalayan, Ann Demeulemeester and Jil Sander, so theoretically Dover Street Market should’ve been in my wheelhouse. But I really did not enjoy it, and left after only a few minutes.
It’s a five-​storey layout with a few tiny clusters of items on each floor. Very brightly lit, with poor signage and an awkward layout –you need to squeeze around people to see anything – , and the shoppers behave as though they’re in church. (Polite & quiet is great: reverent seemed a bit much.) I did like some of the stock, but not nearly enough to stick around.

This place is so good, it makes me physically ill. Every single designer you could possibly ever want to own is there and the buyers just know how to pick the just the perfect things that make it really painful. I just don’t know what to say, it’s flawless and it makes me want to rob a bank.

Believe the hype. It is neat.
Pricey, sure. Although there is something about the building which adds to the experience.
The building appears to be structured like a multiple floor apartment with winding staircases leading to higher floors. In addition, each of the floors carries specialized products catering to all sorts of clientele. It was cool because every room had a different feel to it so there is something for everyone.
Another plus was the top floor which had a mini café to relax.
It is cleverly located away from all the crowded Oxford shoppers which makes it feel more exclusive. Much like the CDG flagship in Paris.
One small plus was they had vending machines offering DSM shirts for sale. Not a big deal, just thought it was cool.
Im not taking a star away for it being pricey since simply window shopping here is a five star experience in itself.

In a city filled with proper galleries and museums, Dover Street Market offers up the best of a retail cum gallery experience for shopaholics like me.
The brainchild of fashion visionary Rei Kawakubo of Commes Des Garcons, this chic multiplex showcases eclectic, covet worthy selections from the likes of Alaia, Lanvin, Demeulemeester and Rodarte alongside her own signature collections.
I died upon entering the Alaia corner, marvelling at his signature waist nipping leather cut-​work corsets and had the pleasure of slipping on a couple pairs of Alaia stiletto sandals and Nicholas Kirkwoods, just to get warmed up… The service was informative yet, relaxed & friendly, not patronizing either… I never felt rushed or obligated to buy, just welcomed to experience their space.
Every time I turned a corner I couldn’t help but admire how uniquely merchandised the shop is. It felt a little surreal at times like I was participating in a stylish art installation with some Lanvin and Givenchy thrown in for good measure. My hubby couldn’t get enough of the taxidermied animals and bones enclosed in glass cases and was equally impressed with the CDG menswear.
My only regret is missing the Rose Bakery which sits on their top floor, will have to check them out on my return to London.
A great shopping diversion from the usual slick Bond Street area shopping destinations, if you enjoy both novelty and luxury Dover Street Market is a fresh breath of retail heaven.

Dover St. Market is possibly my favorite store in the world…
I’m working very hard for the day I can go back. I mean it.

Hidden on the top floor of Dover Street Market, this bakery isn’t actually a bakery at all — it’s a charming café stuffed full of hipster people who actually like to eat.
The waitresses were really friendly, not like the aloof store assistants on the other floors, and the food was great. There’s very little choice — but that was actually refreshing. Just a few savoury choices for lunch (risotto was £10, so it’s quite expensive up there), I was drawn to the homemade-​sounding scones.
The raisin scones were great, nice hearty and fresh out of the oven, and came with some butter and jam. It was £3 though for one, so again, very pricey.
I had the most amazing banana smoothie, with dates, oats and honey — it blew my mind. £4, I think from memory, but I considered buying their recipe book when I finished it, just for that smoothie recipe.
My partner had a coffee, which he really liked too. Everything came in lovely earthenware tumblers or plates (as you can see in the pic) and the cutlery was really nice and simple — small things I noticed, when I wasn’t too busy staring out at the wonderful view from the window.

I’ll admit it: I mostly went here just to say I went here.
I like to think I dress well, but browsing Dover Street Market made me feel like Steve Urkel. Still, the shopkeepers were nice enough: When I tried on a jacket that I clearly couldn’t afford (I was wearing Nikes), a helpful salesman mentioned a few other items I should check out, instead of snickering at me! I guess they can’t really afford to do that during a recession, though…
Anyway, if I ever start stacking chips and writing checks, I’ll head back to DSM and make some serious purchases. Until then, I can only claim to have bought a single (small) bottle of perfume.
BONUS: Thanks to the workers near the front door who pointed me to the nearest Tube entrance without making fun of me for being a boorish American!

So hip it hurts
Granted the range of names displayed is phenomenal and expertly honed, and I agree with all the reviewers who said it was like an art gallery. However, the place is neither fun, nor tongue-​in-​cheek.
Each boutique has the look and feel of an art student’s tableau. It’s as if the owners are saying, «We were not the cool kids in school so you’re going to have to suffer because now we’re the cool kids in society.» It’s a bit like the White Cube for fashion, in a word, pretentious.
Perhaps I don’t like it because I’m not among the 1 per cent of shoppers this emporium is aimed at. But I am a shopper. In fact, i love shopping. I like Fred Segal in LA, Modern Apparel Company in San Francisco, Liberty and Laden showroom in London, even Tati in Paris, but I do not like the Dover Street Market.

Oh! this place is positively fabulatte!
Famous for its ultra fashionable yet meet art critic, I have a conscience yet also i was born a millionaire, genre of Ab Fabs.
Totally I like it,! if nothing else go to dream and people watch! You know, If you want a polo shirt which is far cooler, and far more under discovered than Lacoste, which really catches the eyes of other arty millionaires come buy one here for exactly the same price, just for a smacking £70 and your there!
You what I really love about this place? is the fact they have coined into every aspect of what it is to suposedly be cool, and just marked up the price. A skateboard placed to Albert Elbaz… so called undefined boundaries blurred together in a rich kids dream.

I heard Dover’s name before I saw it’s face. The name was pedestrian, the the face was more interesting, but what’s inside — we all know that’s what really counts.
What a feast for the artistic eyes. The store carries different floors of sundry designers from the well known to the absurd, and these designers are not only purveyors of fashion, but also purveyors of aesthetic excellence. Although I can’t really afford much in the shops, I love looking around. It’s almost like a fashion museum; hey, maybe they should put up plaques explaining key pieces! I’ll do the curating!
To top it off, today’s Dover Street Market might not be tomorrow — there’s a constant rotation of designers in and out of the doors.
Artsy flair, funky air, I’m all there.

Unlike the name suggests this is not a market but a very upscale fashion only department store. This is where the Gwen Stefiani’s of this world bring their no limit credit cards and purchase very unique pieces. You know the pieces at fashion shows and you think who would wear that and where would you get it? Well those pieces are located here. So if you are very fashion forward such as the likes of Emily from The Devil Wears Prada this is where you should shop. Shopping at Dover Street Mrket is almost like attending an exhibition with the displays changing constantly. This shop looks completely different every time I go in. «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.» — Rei Kawakubo, Creator of DSM
I suggest you dress to impress while shopping at the unique and trendy multiple flour Dover Street Market

Pierre Hardy, Comme des Garcons, Albert Elbaz for Lanvin, Azzedine Alaia… you name it. Around Bond Street you find the most high-​end fashion. Dover street market founded by Rai Kawakubo is avant-​garde and different.
This ‘market’ is a great place to get inspired of new retailing and the buyers selection is very fine revised — The store is over 4 floors, man’s wear and woman’s wear mixed. You can make sure you are well looked after by a personal shopper. The changing rooms are theatrical but not so much comfortable. As a man you would certainly walk out there with some cool sneakers from Raf Simons and as a woman a cocktail dress from Boudicca or even just a lovers piece of fashion that caught your eye.
Dover Street Market makes sure fusing retail with art. It reminds more of a gallery then a store, launching innovative exhibitions by season.
At the top floor the same food is served as in the Rose Bakery in Paris, you have to try their quiche or soup. The food tastes very fresh and healthy and makes the overall shopping experience complete.
If you are a fan of Colette in Paris then Dover Street Market is the place for you in London.

The Dover Street market is place to spot fashion people as it is a must see place everyone visits frequently. For the average consumer it can be a bit overwhelming experience as it is so indifferent from a normal shop. But still I think everyone should go and see the place!
The shop is the lovechild of Comme Des Garcons designer Rei Kawakubo with a selection of other designer labels as well. The whole concept is new and the store spread in different floors, everyone completely different from another, the decoration changing constantly being very creative, individual and even shocking.
It is more like art or installation. Not a store. Be inspired!

Dover Street Market is unlike any other shop in London, or England for that matter. Walking through the front door, a display cabinet of skulls and stuffed animals greets you; such features are a common occurrence throughout the store. Each of the five floors of clothes, shoes and jewellery has a very different, often surreal design concept making it more like an exhibition than a shop.
Dover Street Market is about as avant garde as you can get, but what would you expect from the designers of Comme des Garçon. You will find limited edition pieces from countless independent designers as well as Lanvin, Alaia and John Galliano, fascinating concepts and intriguing spaces housed in an incredible warehouse style space.
My dad does not get Dover Street but I guess that is what makes him a historian and me a designer. Personally I think its amazing.