Art

On Joopiter, style storytelling and investment dressing for the hype set



Joopiter by Pharrell Williams

Hot retail news of the month so far comes from Pharrell Williams’ new online auction platform, Joopiter. “Pioneering a modern collecting economy”, it’s a way to sell off his extensive (11-storage units worth) archive of cultural artefacts, while the site simultaneously serves as an online archive of the archive, complete with content to add cultural clout to the pieces.

The first sale goes live next week (but previews from today here) and will consist of one-off items such as an 18k gold Jacob & Co BlackBerry (est sale price $15k-$25k) and blinged-out Swarovski-ed Stan Smiths (est sale price $2,500-$3,500).

Why should we care? (more…)



Can Ladbroke Hall turn Notting Hill into an art destination?



Michele Lamy and Loïc Le Gaillard at Ladbroke Hall by Tom Jamieson for FT

“We want to use the language of a foundation or a museum; moving away from the idea of being a gallery. I want everybody to feel they can come in and educate themselves about design. We want diversity, not only in the artists that we work with but the people that visit us, whether that’s a local school or someone from fashion, the arts or design. We’ve been very successful as a business and now want to give back. We’re seeding things here – we’re not sure what, but we know something beautiful will grow.”
Loïc Le Gaillard, Financial Times

News just in: Ladbroke Grove is getting a very zhuzhy arts hub for SS23. (more…)



Are blankets the new scarves?



Begg x Co Buce McLean blanket art

My blanket fetish continues, and it looks like I’m not the only one. In the last few years, thanks to you-know-what, there’s been a huge rise in home comfort cravings with blankets and throws, not to mention soothing scented candles and tactile cushions, all attracting our attention in the absence of the human touch.

Weighted blankets were big news, but for the more aesthetically inclined, it’s all about the rise of the art blanket and the fashion blanket. (more…)



The culture of fashion: Retail-edutainment rules at Dior’s renovated Avenue Montaigne flagship



Ballgowns on display at La Galerie Dior in Paris

Retail-edutainment is the latest portmanteau on my mind.

Dior is finally ready to reopen its Avenue Montaigne flagship after a two-year reno. This latest incarnation is a ‘universe of Dior’ which includes retail, restaurants and a gallery, plus a private shopping apartment that gives its guests the keys to the store – accompanied by concierges to attend to their every whim.

The Galerie de Dior is the masterstroke. (more…)