Selfridges bringing together ‘Masters’ of couture

One of the UK’s most popular department stores, Selfridges is celebrating high fashion from September 1 with the launch of its new project, The Masters. Twelve renowned couturiers have been invited to create an exclusive look or capsule collection for the store and to curate a window display at its flagship location on Oxford Street. 

The guest designers, each of whom is designated as “The Master” of a specific aspect of their art, are Jean Paul Gaultier, The Master of Expression; Azzedine Alaia, The Master of Architecture; Dries Van Noten, The Master of the Eclectic; Rick Owens, The Master of the Elements; Marc Jacobs, The Master of Mood; Paul Smith, The Master of Inspiration; Oscar de la Renta, The Master of Elegance; Jun Takahashi, The Master of Subversion; Roberto Cavalli, The Master of Glamour; Stella McCartney, The Master of Modernity; Thom Browne, The Master of Showmanship; and Yohji Yamamoto, The Master of Defiance.

Cinema will also play a key part in the project, as each of the window displays (in place until October 19) will be inspired by a particular film genre. Simultaneously, over a six-month period, The Everyman cinema group will set up an in-store theater at Selfridges to screen a selection of films chosen by the Masters. Among the movies featured are “Funny Face” for Oscar de la Renta, “The Virgin Suicides” for Marc Jacobs, “Children of Paradise” for Azzedine Alaïa and “Shame” for Yohji Yamamoto.