Market Notes

EPIC. RAD. MADNESS. BANANAS. PEARS. APPLES. 

Yes, the Dover Street Market Market sample sale WILL be all of those things and though this is only their SECOND ever sale, I say this with quiet confidence given that this sale will include the following…

BUMMER. KILLS. SHITEFEST. DRAT. DOUBLE DRAT.

I'm leaving for Sydney on Friday morning so I can't physically partake in the DSM Market festivities.  I'm not going to put 'Sadly' at the beginning of that sentence because that would make me more of a spoilt brat than I already am and frankly I don't need to be cringing a year from now when I re-read my posts (yes, I do that… don't you?).

So, once again, Super Hero Steve has come to my rescue.  He was intrepid reporter/photographer whilst I was in New York.  Now he will be intrepid shopper/observer.  He's going to go with cash a-plenty (though I think they are taking cards…) and he will take these strict instructions with him…

I'm not actually a tyrannical girlfriend by the way.  He requested STRICT instructions because he's mighty nervous of his first intrepid shopper assignment.  And he can't reach me by phone whilst I'm in flight.  

Food stands Outside

Don't let them distract you BEFORE the sale.  Reward yourself with a burrito afterwards.  Just don't let the oozing sour cream drip into the sale bags.  (Me thinks Daddy Donkey's famous stand will be participating in the food festivities…).

Shoe size: 38

Though if you see any peeptoe Givenchy styles, any Yves Saint Laurent structurally dizzying heels or A/W 07 Comme nurse-esque clumpy shoes then I can be anything up to a 40… just need thick socks, that's all…

If you think it's over-embellished and a little bit 'too much', I'll probably like it.  Get it.  Size 38 (up to 40 depending on the level of 'muchness')

Clothes Size 

S is a good guideline. 

For dresses and bottoms, f tricksy European sizing pops up, picture a school 30cm ruler.  If the waist of trousers/dress/skirt/shorts is about as wide as the ruler with a little bit of grace room at the side, then we're good to go…

Elasticated waistbands are more than welcome.

For coats and tops, again EU36/UK8-10 is all good… that said, if it's truly stupendous, a size one up won't hurt…

especially if the item in question is oversized which in the case of Comme and Junya often applies.

If in doubt, just take a good hard look at it and just guesstimate… you have seen the bod starkers enough times…

Deets… Alas, this isn't the time for buying practical and sensible pieces that I will wear and wear.  I physically have to be there to try those sort of beasts on.  So go for DEETS.

Frills. Prints. Chunky Knits. Pleats. Superfluous bows. Interesting fastenings. Volume. More frills. Flocking. Embroidery. Beading. Paillettes/sequins

Colours… well, you've seen my wardrobe.  Anything goes apart from poo brown… actually I just got those vintage Loewe trews.  No, anything goes.

Fabrics… touch touch touch.  If it feels good and is something you want to hug for more than a minute, then it's a keeper.

Texture… see deets.  If there's plastic, leather, furry bits, PVC or any other unconventional material worked into something, take another look.  I won't give a fig about comfort factor.    

Specifics Hitlist

Anything Christopher Kane really… no, seriously.  Anything.  A dress would be a bonus because buying one NOT in the four figure bracket would be joy.  If you especially spy a scallop shape sticking out of a rail, just grab it.

Yves Saint Laurent LEATHUUUUURRR… a leather coat might be too optimistic.  Grey jersey from S/S 08 however is very much a possibility.  Grab.  Actually, anything grey jersey would be worth a look at.

Sacai knits.  If your hand brushes past something soft, fine and gauzey, it's probably by Sacai.  A few of these pieces would be a bonus.

Tao S/S 09 military frou frou – A gold shiny button and some organza indicates this.

Comme – Anything goes but if it's from that Minnie Mouse collection and looks like some stretchy fun could be had in it, nab it.

Givenchy may be tricky as there are probably going to be more 'commercial pieces'.  If it looks like it's quite a normal looking thing with a Givenchy label sewn into it, then pass on by.

Long skirts… Margiela and Comme may have some interesting options…

They haven't listed all of the designers that are going to be at the sale and DSM have had a lot of names pass through their hallowed doors…

If any of these pop up, take a second look…Toga, Hussein Chalayan, Erdem, Nina Ricci, Peter Pilotto, Rodarte, Proenza Schouler, Charles Anastase, Giles, Marios Schwab, Zero Maria Cornejo, Tom Binns, House of Holland…

Menswear

You're shopping for yourself as well.  Duh.  That said, I'll take any neoprene pieces from Raf Simons.

Guess it wasn't all that specific…

Ah fuck it.  Happy Shopping.  Have a burrito.