Comme des Garçons at DSM

I made a recent stop in London en route to Milan – it had been nearly a year since my last visit. This time my Paris team joined me for the day to explore some great shopping finds. Our first spot was one of my favorite shopping destinations worldwide: Dover Street Market. Every time I’m in London, I always head here. It’s a multi-brand boutique conceived by Rei Kawakubo, the designer behind Comme des Garçons. So naturally the selection of Comme des Garçons is superb here. In fact, I’ve purchased some of my favorite pieces from the label at DSM.

Rei Kawakubo describes her store as “…the mixing up and coming together of different kindred souls who all share a strong personal vision.” She’s done an amazing job. It’s highly curated, with familiar high fashion labels like Lanvin and Azzedine Alaïa alongside more obscure brands. Even among the recognizable labels, the selection here is a cut above. The Alaïa at DSM is second only to the designer’s atelier in Paris. The pieces are beautifully presented in their own special corner. I was drooling over the leopard dress and cape.

Comme des Garçons at DSM

The Lanvin section at DSM

Azzedine Alaïa dress and cape

The store is divided into a main ground floor, four upper floors, and an underground floor. When you walk in, you immediately discover DSM’s incredible jewelry. They carry Repossi and Delfina Delettrez Fendi. Both designers are in my opinion the darlings of the new wave of fine jewelry. Whimsical yet expertly designed. There were all sorts of colorful gemstones and wild designs, but I think the Repossi black gold rings with black diamonds were my favorite. It was all a feast for the eyes.

Repossi black gold ring

Ring by Delfina Delettrez Fendi

Jewels by Delfina Delettrez Fendi

Lips rings by Delfina Delettrez Fendi

Ivory ring by Bibi

The shoe department on the second elevated level has a great mix of different brands – Alaïa, Nicholas Kirkwood, Behnaz Kanani, Chrissie Morris, Brian Atwood, Bruno Frisoni…the list goes on.

Platform shoe by Bruno Frisoni

The collection of Moncler on this floor was also pretty incredible. This line has really taken off – they’re now making these spectacular puffy jackets. I bought a simple day jacket in charcoal grey wool, but there are dressier versions in satin with jewel clasps. I wouldn’t mind one of those, too! Like shoes, I am a coat fanatic – but there isn’t enough room in my closet to keep them all.

Moncler jacket

Thanks to DSM, I’ve been introduced to new and different designers. I’ve followed London-based up-and-comer Marios Schwab for a while now – but the pieces I saw on my recent visit were really wow. I bought the dress below and wore it to the opening night at the New York City Ballet last week – received lots of compliments.

Marios Schwab dress

A great dress by Erdem

I could have stayed there all day. But I had to move on to my next destination…