Collaboration: Frank Gehry x Louis Vuitton
Social impact: On TikTok, videos featuring the phrase "Frank Gehry Art Basel" have 705.1 million views.
The story: Pritzker Architecture Prize-winning architect Frank Gehry unveiled a collection of 11 limited-edition handbags for Louis Vuitton at Art Basel Miami Beach, which took place from December 8 to 10.
The collaboration, titled Louis Vuitton x Frank Gehry, takes cues from Gehry's architectural achievements and incorporates elements inspired by animals. The collection includes reimagined Louis Vuitton Capucines bags, such as the Capucines BB Shimmer Haze with a translucent Plexiglas finish, a nod to the Museum of Pop Culture in Seattle.
Other designs feature multi-layered calfskin finishes reminiscent of iconic buildings like the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao and the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. Gehry's animal-inspired creations include fish-themed bags and a bear-shaped clutch, each reflecting his distinctive sculptural style.
As a limited-edition collection, this project blends Gehry's architectural prowess with the luxury craftsmanship of Louis Vuitton.
The architect’s partnership with Louis Vuitton began in 2014, when he designed the maison’s iconic art museum, Foundation Louis Vuitton, in Paris’ Bois de Boulogne park. Since then, the two have worked together on various projects, including an asymmetrically twisted vanity box and sculptural perfume bottles.
Miami Art Basel, a pinnacle in the global art calendar, brings together leading galleries, artists, and collectors in Florida each year. This annual international art fair transforms Miami Beach into a dynamic hub, offering a vibrant stage for the exhibition and sale of cutting-edge modern and contemporary art. The event is a nexus of creativity, cultural exchange, and commercial dynamism, attracting enthusiasts worldwide.