As part of my research, I decided to visit Dover Street Market for the first time. As we walked through the entrance, my friend and I were greeted into this futuristic space, with dresses kept in glass cages and guarded by a gigantic baby (alas, just a statue).
The ‘I’m not like other girls’ of retail. In a good way.
I thoroughly enjoyed being able to feel the luxurious (and expensive) fabrics, excited about what the next floor would look like – more unsettling statues, or perhaps tin foil on the walls?
Five floors, many famous luxury brands (Gucci, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, Molly Goddard, Simone Rocha to name a few). Each brand with its own space designed to fit its aesthetic. As I was marveling at the garments, however, I also realised that all this attention to detail, all this beautifully crafted world of clothes and accessories, seems to gravitate around the fact that all the brands are very famous – giving us, two poor students, the illusion of being part of something that we can’t quite be part of (not yet). There wasn’t a sense of community, not one that I could feel at least. It was thoroughly entertaining, like walking through an eccentric museum of luxurious, sellable garments.
With my project, I think I want to focus more on that community aspect that I felt was lacking. Why are people interested in fashion? What brings us together? Also, I think emerging designers without the glitz and fame should too be able to have more creative ways to showcase their collections and ideas to potential customers. Is this, perhaps, what I should be focusing on right now?
I have reached out to an emerging designer I met not too long ago to see if we can have an informal chat, so I can listen to what she needs and figure out how I can help. For instance, helping her find a space, such as a stall at a pop-up market – in fact, I recently also reached out to Creative Babes, a community created by Alice, who champions and supports emerging brands and small businesses who can apply to have a stall at one of the events organised by them.
I wonder how many emerging designers are aware of opportunities like this, and what my role could be in helping them grow and thrive.