Eve Democracy

Crisp, fresh autumnal air really lifts me up but the real lift came at Dover Street Market where I got a walk-through at the store, which as always, has a lot going on and specifically to coincide with Frieze, the whole store has been taken over by CdG printed matter.  Rei Kawakubo makes this retail space so fluid and dynamic that every time I go it is a fresh experience and despite my thinking that I know what to expect; I don’t know jack.  So yet again, I’m humbled by DSM as in the basement a most intriguing space has popped up, created by the wonderful photographer Katerina Jebb who has collaborated with Comme des Garcons before.  This is the second edition of Jebb’s evolving space at DSM where it is focused around a certain piece of Christian Lacroix haute couture (last time a S/S 02 wedding gown was used).  This time, the display ‘Eves Democracy’ centres around an AW03 piece and in the mix goes oddities such as a 30s’ gynecologist chair, a Le Laboratoire Bel Air air purifier designed by Mathieu Lehanneur with a cactus in it and a background of a photo montage old masters from the Louvre created by Jebb.  Surrounding that though goes less odd things; rails of vintage gems from Jebb’s own collection that are available for sale.  Lanvin, Courreges, Pierre Cardin, Celine….I did not dare look at price tags such is what I know about vintage of this calibre.

Turns out Jebb’s flea market hunting skills scored her the gold hotpants that made Kylie Minogue’s tush a famous one.  I knew of Jebb’s work which elevates photo montage and photocopying when combined with high fashion and is pretty much a unique way of clothing representation.  I didn’t know that she had such a massive personal collection of vintage which designers often consult and is generous enough to give them up for sale at Dover Street Market.  I want to be in her Creative Collecting gang.  Does making digi-collages and collecting old CD-Roms qualify perchance?