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Rei Kawakubo and Adrian Joffe, the founding couple behind the multi-brand luxury retailer, have secured a long-term lease for a major new space in Paris’ Marais district. The aim is to eventually launch a new retail hub featuring events, residencies and designer brands. It is believed the site will become the location of a Paris branch of Dover Street Market.
The Comme des Garçons-owned concept store made its retail debut in Paris in 2019, with the launch of a beauty and fragrance store, but it has long held bigger ambitions. The city is also the location of the retailer’s brand development division, Dover Street Market Paris, and the company has had designs on expanding its retail footprint there since the closure of famed concept store Collette in 2017. Until now, it’s struggled to find the right space.
Structure 35-37, named for the building’s address, will stock a range of brands and offer services including space management and event planning for venues across Paris. It’s not the only sign of expansion, following the launch of Dover Street Little Market last month.
The new location’s debut event was designer Victor Weinsanto’s digital fashion show and campaign shoot which took place last weekend. Dover Street Market Paris is currently working with a range of luxury labels, streetwear brands and emerging creatives to help catalyse cultural events at the space. It also plans to work with local museums to host live music gigs and facilitate artist residencies.
