Where? Spanning six floors and 1,200 square metres, this funky store in London's swanky Mayfair district brings together more than a dozen designers and artists chosen by Commes des Garcons designer Rei Kawakubo. The Japanese brand calls it a new idea for retail space, as well as a gathering place for ideas and creativity.
The mood: an energetic space where art, various fashion styles and Comme des Garcons furniture blend perfectly. There are bare walls, steel beams and huts, while cabinets display stuffed birds and animal parts.
The crowd: those who are at the forefront of the fashion scene, who like to stay ahead and dismiss trends. Bored with shopping at traditional department stores, they have a passion for progressive design and get their fix at Dover Street Market.
What to expect: fashion, books and art, as well as a small bakery. Merchandise changes from time to time but you'll usually find Terry de Havilland shoes, avant-garde brands such as Bouddicca, Raf Simons, Undercover as well as clothes from style gurus Alber Elbaz (for Lanvin), Anne Valerie Hash and Hedi Slimane. Apart from Kawakubo's own collection, there is also a space showcasing special pieces by her compatriot Junya Watanabe.
Extras: every floor has a special corner dedicated to artists or set designers in film, theatre or dance. There will be live interviews at the SHOW studio, an art and fashion broadcasting channel delivered across the internet. Galerie 213 is a Parisian bookshop offering photography books, including rare and first editions.
17 Dover Street, London, tel: 44 20 7518 0680.