This what is located on the small street of Marignan in the fashion centre of Paris (it is few steps from Avenue Montaigne), is something much more than a fashion store of a famous designer. Azzedine Alaia just opened a three-level boutique, all in white marble, where Alaia’s couture and ready to wear pieces are exposed. This is the second flagship of Alaia- the first one is much more cosier, and is also a home/studio of Mr. Alaia (located on rue Moussy 7). The new store is filled with art that was collected by the designer through his life- beautiful lamps, amazing shelves and sofas are just few that may amaze you here. There is even a garden in which you MUST drink some coffee during Summer… and of course the clothes here are masterpieces.
Design
“Succession” by Fredrik Färg
I discovered Fredrik Färg in the Parisian boutique of Comme des Garcons on Saint-Honore, where his amazing furniture/installations are located. In these leather “things” that for me seem to resemble animals, shoes and bags are presented in the CdG Tokyo and Paris. The technique of making Succession is very slow, but at the same time traditional- the leather is shaped thanks to strings, that make it squeezed and more smooth in texture. After some long time, the strings are taken off, and so called “basins” are formed, making this eccentric stool/chair/sofa even more quirky and… comfortable.
DSMNY
“I love the volition that Comme des Garçons has, with no limits attached and I think that is what the industry needs: The idea that as much as the clothing is important, all other emotion’s effects in shopping and clothing are important”. When the first Dover Street Market department store was opened in London, everything that was amazing, was there. Rei Kawabuko, the designer of Comme des Garcons and visionaire of DSM just opened the new space in New York. The old building on Lexington Avenue is dramatically changed by imagination of Rei- every pop-up space has it’s own designer, with it’s very own feeling… The Thom Browne place looks like a stationary staffroom from an office. Prada looks like taken from fairy tale story. Fresh designers like Simone Rocha and Jacquemus have their mini boutiques, build the way the designers wanted. Rei Kawabuko gives opportunities for young designers, by creating the culture of Dover Street Market.
Berlin: Acne Studios
Acne is a Swedish label known for great denim, jackets and shoes that are always kept in a sporty but chic way. The Munzstrasse boutique of Acne Studios is a tiny space that has an amazing installation on the celling ( I think it’s a light bulb spider!) and a lightly constructed, pastel pink table on which the clothes are kept. My favourite piece was the AW13 shirt with this artsy print on… The Berliner style is just up here!
Berlin: Andreas Murkudis
Andreas Murkudis store in Berlin is definitely not the one that you will find in a shopping guide. I found this place thanks to Instagram, and I am really happy that I was there! The store is located not directly on the street, but in a stone house center. The walls there are pale white with neon lights all over the place. Labels like Celine, Margiela, Dries Van Noten, Kolor and Aesop are all in this huge space! And by the way… Not on perhaps, I arrived at an amazing fashion show of young, Berlin based designers, who were all here because of Woolmark reward! The gowns, sweaters and everything there was so out of this world… Just have a look at this very artistic world located in one store on Potsdamstrasse 81E.
Andrea Klussman and Viktoria Heise
Wiebke Lebus
Florian Schulze
Design & Culture by Ed 