Dover Street Market Ginza, Text: Nora Palzenberger
In the early eighties, western fashion revolutionised the deconstructivist creations of the Japanese avant-garde. Today, the legacies of Yamamoto, Miyake et al. have long since emerged from the shadows of their predecessors.
THE Stylemate took a look around the metropolis of Tokyo and showcases here several of the coolest concept stores in the Japanese capital.
DOVER STREET MARKET
Ginza Komatsu West 6-9-5
Ginza Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0061
ginza.doverstreetmarket.com
The enormous art installations alone are worth a visit: Comme des Garçons designer Rei Kawakubo had the original concept of “beautiful chaos” in mind when she opened her first Dover Street Market store in London, and it is now expressed alongside sculptures, photographs and other works of contemporary art at the only Japanese outlet of the legendary high fashion department store.
Several times a year, the store is redesigned by the labels and designer themselves, with every section looking totally different and disregarding the rule book on conventional interior design.
An eclectic mix of Comme des Garçons’ own labels, other luxury brands, up-and-coming designers and streetwear is arranged over seven floors, while the musical backdrop has been produced especially for the store by a New York sound artist.
It’s not only fans of modern art and avant-garde fashion that should pay a visit, but also those with a leaning more towards the gastronomical: the chic yet unpretentious Rose Bakery, an import from Paris, has a café on the top floor.
Photos: ginza.doverstreetmarket.com