When it comes to the intersection of fashion and art, few brands have made as much of an impact as Louis Vuitton. The luxury fashion house has a long history of collaborating with artists outside of the traditional fashion industry, and their latest collaboration is no exception. This year, Louis Vuitton teamed up with renowned architect Frank Gehry to create an exclusive capsule collection that reinterprets the iconic Capucines bag and unveils several audacious new creations across four key themes instrumental to Gehry's work at Art Basel Miami Beach 2023.
Gehry is no stranger to pushing boundaries in the world of architecture. His buildings are known for their bold, sculptural forms and their use of unconventional materials. But this collaboration with Louis Vuitton marks a departure from his usual work as he turns his attention to the fashion world.
In a Louis Vuitton interview, Frank Gehry discussed his approach to designing the latest handbag collection. As a creative, although from - on the surface - what seems to be a completely different field, he believes that designing handbags is like making a movie or launching a rocket. Just like all art, it begins as an exploration into the unknown. Using his experience in constructing buildings, Gehry approached the handbag collection with a unique perspective and believed that working on the project was enjoyable and a new opportunity to push his creative boundaries.
Left to Right: LV x Frank Gehry Capucines BB Shimmer Haze, Capucines BB Analog Bag, Capucines MM Concrete Pockets, showcasing the Architecture and Form theme
Photos by Adar
"It's not something I usually do, handbags. So I think it's a search in the, you know… for ideas and things. Well, every creative person goes through that, you know? I think that's very similar to making a movie or to shooting a rocket to the moon. There are various levels of creativity and the expertise you bring into it, or years of experience and stuff. In my case, I've built a lot of buildings, so I can shorthand stuff. So, I've been having a lot of fun at my young age of 94." - Frank Gehry
Flaconier Les Extraits in Monogram Canvas in Collaboration with Frank Gehry
Inside: Frank Gehry LV Perfume Bottle Models
Photos by Adar
On the other hand, Louis Vuitton is no stranger to collaborations with artists outside of fashion. The brand has a long history of working with contemporary artists on limited-edition collections, from Yayoi Kusama to Jeff Koons. These collaborations have helped to establish Louis Vuitton as a fearless brand that challenges the form and experiments with new ideas.
Left to Right: LV x Frank Gehry Capucines Mini Puzzle, Capucines Mini Blossom, showcasing the Material Exploration theme
Photos by Adar
The collaboration between Louis Vuitton and Gehry is a natural fit. Both are known for their innovative, boundary-pushing work and their willingness to take risks. And the resulting collection is nothing short of stunning.
At Art Basel Miami Beach, Louis Vuitton unveiled a specially designed booth that evokes the wood and cardboard models at the core of Gehry's design process. The booth showcases the four themes embodying Gehry's trademark deconstructivism style alongside many exciting objects and sketches.
Top Left to Right: LV x Frank Gehry Capucines MM Floating Fish, Capucines Mini Drawn Fish
Bottom Left to Right: LV x Frank Gehry Bear With Us Clutch, Capucines BB Croc, showcasing the Animal theme
Photos by Adar
The Capucines bag, which has been reinterpreted by Gehry, is the standout piece in the collection. The bag is made from a combination of leather and metal and features a sculptural handle that is reminiscent of Gehry's buildings.
But the collection goes far beyond the Capucines bag. Gehry has created several other pieces that explore the themes of Architecture and Form, Material Exploration, Animals, and "Twisted Box." There are handbags that are made from a combination of materials, including leather and metal and feature bold, sculptural shapes. There are also pieces that feature Gehry's signature use of unconventional materials, such as a bag that is made from woven strips of leather and a box that is made from metal mesh.
LV x Frank Gehry Twisted Box, in three variations
Photo by Adar
Overall, the Louis Vuitton x Frank Gehry collaboration is a testament to the power of collaboration and the importance of pushing boundaries. It's a reminder that, sometimes, the most innovative ideas come from unexpected places. As Gehry himself said, "It's a search," and that search has led to a truly remarkable collection that will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on the worlds of fashion and art.