Barneys Literally Slid Into DMs to Recruit These Young Designers

By Jonathan Sawyer in Style

Apr 4, 2017

Ah social media, where anything is possible, and now even department stores are sliding into DMs, as Barneys has in turn taken to Instagram to discover new brands to carry in-stores. Labels such as A-COLD-WALL*, Enfants Riches Déprimés, Martine Rose, Sulvam and Willy Chavarria will all now be available at select Barneys locations.

To jump-start the initiative, Barneys thus presents their new “Instagram DMs” campaign, featuring a selection of lookbook images and quotes from the designers themselves.

For more, see what Jay Bell, Barneys Senior Vice President of Men’s Designer offerings, had to say on the project.

On Barneys DNA and Instagram:

“I love this idea of discovery. I truly enjoy learning about a brand and its background—its spirit and smell. Seeing brands in their environment makes me tick. Translating that sensation into a customer experience at Barneys gets me so excited!”

“You can ignore Instagram and social media, but if you do, it’ll show. I consider Barneys our blank canvas to tell a story, and it behooves to find these interesting people and stories. All of these designers are a different hue in the painting, and they make a gorgeous tapestry that’s rich with unique beauty. I love, love, love it—it makes me tick!”

On discovering Daren Chambers of Resurrect by Night late on Instagram:

“I was trolling through Instagram one night and came across these incredible drawings on clothes and thought, wow I’d love to see this in the store, but I’m not finding it in any showrooms. I reached out to him on the DM, and he responded.”

“For a young kid from the Bronx who is making things in his basement to be picked up and sold at Barneys after being discovered in this venue of Instagram—that’s an amazing idea that wouldn’t have happened a decade ago.”

https://www.highsnobiety.com/2017/04/04/barneys-instagram-collection/#slide-7