Dover Street Market is a multilevel fashion retail and concept store created by Red Kawakubo of Japanese fashion label Comme des Garçons. It is located in Dover Street, Mayfair, London.
Background
The original London store underwent 72 hours of reinvention, kicking off a monthlong calendar of special projects, limited edition products and installations. DSM required us to produce and install self adhesive vinyl to a wooden structure erected outside their flagship store.
Creator, Rei Kawakubo, has always been very inspired by the energy and the clashing of different people coming together within markets, which ultimately resulted with this ‘beautiful chaos’ idea.
Conception, prototyping and proofing
Visualising a final product can often be difficult. Designers and artists, who have trained their eyes throughout years of work, are generally able to visualise a final product from a mockup. The average person, however, has trouble seeing beyond a simple representation in order to appreciate potential for beauty and functionality. This is why we work with clients every step of the way, preparing prototypes for approval before proceeding with the full job.
This helps to highlight any potential issues or pitfalls along the way and allows us to agree of the most efficient method of production and installation. This is where working prototypes really shine. Instead of handing your clients a series of PSDs, images or drawings – where everything is static and lifeless – we like to produce something more tangible for them to play with.
Production and Installation
Following a site survey, and approval of materials from the client we began preparing the necessary files for production. Due to the nature of the installation and the finish of the wood, the lettering was required to be produced in a single piece, printed on a clear adhesive film, which could be applied directly to the surface of the wood.
This installation was carried out over 2 days, by our fully trained installation team. Our installers have an unparalleled knowledge of graphic application and are fully trained to operate scissors lifts and work with scaffolding.
Final Installation
The images show the finished installation. Once the building works were completed, the client then decided to incorporate part of the wooden structure in their latest window display, highlighting the fact that what was once a hoarding graphic, has now been restyled into a main feature in one of London’s most widely renowned fashion retailers and creators of stunning window displays.
At coloursonic, we are proud of our reputation as London’s leading grand format printers. For over 30 years we have been working with retail and corporate companies in visualising creating, installing and delivering print solutions which give our client’s brand impact. We don’t brag about our work, we invite you to decide for yourself if you like what we do.
