Dover Street Market comes to Paris

After decades of fascinating history and occupation by iconic figures like Madame de Sévigné, l'hôtel de Coulanges, located in the heart of the Marais on the picturesque rue des Francs-Bourgeois, is poised to open its doors to a new chapter of innovation and creativity. Indeed, this is where the long-awaited French version of Dover Street Market will come to life on May 24, 2024. After launching several projects in the capital over recent years, the iconic store founded by Rei Kawakubo and Adrian Joffe is set to open its first multi-brand store in the Marais, at 35-37 rue des Francs-Bourgeois. This address, which has housed their offices since 2021 as well as the beloved 3537, a cultural and creative space cherished by the local community, will now be the much-anticipated home of the new concept store. Born from the boldness of the famous Japanese designer and her husband twenty years ago in London, Dover Street Market has since extended its influence globally, from the bustling streets of New York to the vibrant districts of Singapore, through the sunny alleys of Los Angeles... And finally, to Paris, where a boutique dedicated to perfumes and care products has paved the way since 2019. With the opening of this new flagship store in the French capital, the brand is also celebrating its twentieth anniversary this year, thus expanding its global network to seven concept stores in iconic cities.

With its innovative approach to retail, Dover Street Market Paris intends to redefine established norms by offering a shopping experience that pushes the boundaries of imagination and creativity. This new chapter revolves around a rather baffling decision: to make the clothes invisible from the outside of the store. Passersby will not be greeted by glittering showcases. Instead, the exterior of the building maintains a mystery, urging the curious to step through the doors to discover what lies within. Once inside, customers are plunged into a world where usual rules do not apply. Unlike traditional stores, where items are carefully organized by brand or style, DSMP refuses labels and conventions. This is where the true essence of "New Chaos" resides: a deliberately discordant aesthetic that celebrates diversity and unpredictability and embodies the concept of DSM from the start. The walls curve and the displays take unexpected forms, creating a labyrinth where every turn reveals a new surprise. In this environment, customers are masters of their own experience. They are encouraged to explore freely, to follow their intuition, and to discover pieces that resonate with their personal sensibility. Dover Street Market Paris does not dictate rules; it merely offers a playground where fashion becomes a form of expression without limits.

The store of 1,100 square meters spread over three levels offers a selection of renowned brands, such as Prada, Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga, Jacquemus, Rick Owens, and Walter Van Beirendonck. It also highlights a range of Japanese brands among which are legendary labels such as Comme des Garçons, Junya Watanabe, Noir Kei Ninomiya, and Undercover. In addition to established brands, DSMP features a new generation of designers who stand out in the contemporary fashion scene. Among them are names that have sparked enthusiasm in recent years, such as Jacquemus, Marine Serre, Martine Rose, Wales Bonner, JW Anderson, and Simone Rocha. But it also gives special attention to less well-known brands but equally promising, such as Hodakova, Paul Harnden, Elena Dawson, Johanna Parv, Chopova Lowena, Duran Lantink, Independantes de Coeur, and Ponte. The space is not limited to retail alone; it becomes a multifunctional venue, with levels dedicated to hosting artistic, literary, musical, and community events featuring a cafe signed Crosby Studios. By inviting artists to present their works and perspectives in the store, as in "Comme des Garçons for and by Paolo Roversi” which will be set up during the store’s inauguration, Dover Street Market continues its tradition of innovation and cultural engagement that has built its reputation over the past twenty years. This holistic approach to culture and creativity makes DSMP a true hub of life and artistic expression in the making.