Dover Street Market — in both London and Japan — is one of the world’s most wonderful stores. Hyperbole? Not at all. With Rei Kawakubo as creative director, it was set to be different from the start, and thanks to its luxury selects from internationally commended collections, fabulously different it is. Naturally, the Olympics weren't likely to go unnoted and as if impressive artist's window displays weren't enough, surely a fresh collab would score them retail gold.
Getting to grips with the games, DSM sports its athletic side, working with Nike to reinvent a men's classic. The result? Give it up for the DSM AF1. That might just sound like a lot of numbers and caps, but in long hand, that’s the limited edition Dover Street Market X Nike Air Force 1 30th Anniversary sneaker — fancy!
Adopting a “materials first" approach and art direction from Kawakubo, the collab looks back through British time for inspiration in both concept and design. Ventile, the fabric chosen for the trainer, was developed in Manchester, at the time during which competitive sport was becoming accepted as commonplace. Windproof, waterproof, and everything you'd want from your sneakers, it provides a slim-fit shape and streamlined shoe. Colors take on the British palette, and DSM's London store number "17-18" (Dover Street), reads off the navy and white tongues, Ms. Kawakubo's graphic nod to race-day numbers. Yet to be released in the US, we're eagerly awaiting their arrival in mid-August. Mel C, can you buy us a pair?
Photos: Courtesy of NIKE, Inc