Dover Street Market

By Jove: The Biz Buzz
Aha weekly tidbits for the HT Insider

Opps!  Did I say Radio City Music Hall when lauding Saks’ Christmas effort last time?  Clearly I meant Rockefeller Center.

I said we would talk more about Dover Street Market (DSM) this week.  If you are holding out, because the thought of facing east and walking to Lex and 30th in tundra-esque conditions stopped you, you’re forgiven.  Even the heartiest of us “Check out the stores” types hibernated this past week. As soon as the temperature rises check out DSM.   This is an “Alice in Wonderland” located in a neighborhood best described as – no particular reason to go there.  So why go?  Because sometimes it is very hard to explain what avant garde is all about.  It really depends on what your eye is accustomed to.   Many young FIT undergrads (aside from Lady Gaga) will confuse couture for avant garde, i.e., fashion and or any art form presented at the most extreme expression.  DSM from the interior design, use of space and merchandise is a temple to avant garde conceived by Rei Kawakubu, her 3rd DMS project after Tokyo and London.

Most importantly, it is a curated assembly of items from a wide mix of leading experimental extremist designers, representing a global assortment of markets such as Junya Wantanabe and Thom Brown. 7 floors of crazy nooks that as a whole somehow give new meaning to urban anti-fashion chic that breeds trickle down looks at lesser price points. Take the core glass elevator to the top and work your way down.  Make sure you visit the bathroom(s). Seriously. The big challenge when I visited was that one after another mortified men and women came out apologizing that they could not figure out how to flush! Also, the seats, in true Japanese fashion are heated.  This alone might inspire you. Finally, plan to eat at the Rose (a Paris icon) Bakery. Coffee to die for, and a décor and menu to match  “Jabberwocky” surroundings.   http://ny.racked.com/tags/the-racked-38

Entrance to the Rose Bakery at Dover Street Market
Entrance to the Rose Bakery at Dover Street Market

Meanwhile, in effort to clarify the difference between couture level and avant garde:

While not in the same neighborhood, another absolutely must see new store is Balenciaga at 148 and 149 Mercer in Soho. What a contrast DSM.  Having taken over the Balenciaga creative director’s position a little over a year ago, Alexander Wang has spearheaded the building of a green marble and chrome modern temple to luxury that manages to stun and yet in no way dominate the merchandise.  Absolute elegance that will remind you of a museum, yet in no way stuffy.  What an accomplishment. http://blog.contentmode.com/2013/11/the-new-balenciaga-flagship-store-in-soho.html

Now for the question of the week – was Beyonce’s Grammy gown designed by Michael Costello, Avant garde? Couture? Stunning or Slutty? What do you think?