When Rei Kawakubo Suggests Books and Films to Read and See, It’s Pretty Much Mandatory
The original Dover Street Market in London has reached its first decade — or it will on September 10 — and what a glorious ten years it’s been. Judging from the swirl of launches, limited editions, and special events surrounding the tenth anniversary, Rei Kawakubo — and, by extension, her Comme des Garçons label — couldn’t be happier.
In fact, on the topic of happy, Pharrell Williams has launched his new scent GIRL to coincide with the festivities, marking the occasion with a special colored box. Additionally, spaces have been constructed for Louis Vuitton’s fall collection — the first by its new creative director, Nicolas Ghesquière — and for Nike Lab, including its sneaker collaboration with DSM.
Designers and friends of DSM have also created commemorative pieces, such as Simone Rocha’s pointed silver shoes, Stella McCartney’s kids items, and Phoebe English’s T-shirts. Souvenir items either designed or chosen by Kawakubo — flip flops, mugs, tote bags — have been given their own stalls, while the whole store is clad in a poster installation emblazoned with quotes from Kawakubo herself.
But, in typically contrarian Comme style, the house would now like to divert your attention from its first ten years and focus on the next ten years. To that end, Kawakubo has compiled a list of future-oriented books and films for you to consume as you adopt DSM not only as a retail destination, but a life philosophy. In other words, it’s pretty much mandatory.