Sandra‘s Closet

At this year’s Paris+ par Art Basel, Louis Vuitton continues its longstanding commitment to the arts by exhibiting and showcasing a curated selection of creative collaborations and original artworks from leading international artists. The Maison is also revealing wave five of the Artycapucines collection.

The Louis Vuitton booth for Paris+ par Art Basel 2023, which runs from 20-22 October at the Grand Palais Éphémère, has been designed to resemble an oversized Louis Vuitton trunk. The exterior of the booth is inspired by the Copper Malle Courrier by Pharrell Williams, which was presented on the runway for his debut Louis Vuitton menswear collection, for S/S 2024. The booth’s interior walls feature the iconic malletage pattern, the refined crisscrossing motif that has padded the inside of the Maison’s trunks since Louis Vuitton founded his business in 1854. The booth is the perfect showcase for an exhibition of curated works by an ensemble of world-renowned artists, including collaborations on bags and canvas by Takashi Murakami; reworked, unique travel trunks by Damien Hirst; and Stephen Sprouse‘s Roses Monogram Alma bag.

Other original artworks on show include three paintings by Richard Prince; one by Takashi Murakami; a circular portrait of a young Louis Vuitton by Yan Pei-Ming; and an AI-data painting entitled Finding LV by Refik Anadol. Also included are seven new works by Yayoi Kusama, exhibited for the first time, each entitled Every Day I Pray for Love. The phrase has featured on the back of Kusama’s recent paintings, including this new series, which was begun in 2022 during the conception of the artist’s latest collaboration with Louis Vuitton.

At Paris+ par Art Basel, the Maison will also reveal five additions to its now iconic Artycapucines Collection. Since 2019, the collection has seen leading international artists – including Daniel Buren, Urs Fischer, Donna Huanca, Vik Muniz, Park Seo-Bo, Tschabalala Self, Kennedy Yanko, and Zhao Zhao – bring their unique creative visions to the blank canvas offered by the Capucines bag’s modern classic design. The five new bags on display at Paris+ par Art Basel are by Ewa Juszkiewicz, Liza Lou, Tursic & Mille, Ziping Wang, and Billie Zangewa, and reveal the ingenious creativity of their artist designers and the creative ingenuity of Louis Vuitton’s artisans who turned those visions into reality.

In 2023, following its successful presence at last year’s inaugural Paris+ par Art Basel, Louis Vuitton is now proud to become a global Associate Partner of Art Basel.
This additional support further confirms the Maison’s close and committed relationship to the arts, one that started nearly a century ago when Gaston-Louis Vuitton, the founder’s grandson, began commissioning artists to collaborate with Louis Vuitton on advertisements and perfume bottles.

Since 1988, Louis Vuitton has continued this legacy by collaborating with some of the biggest names in modern art and design, including Sol LeWitt, James Rosenquist, Cesar, and Olafur Eliasson. It has curated exhibitions by artists such as Sophie Calle,Dan Flavin, Alberto Giacometti and Gerhard Richter in its Espaces Louis Vuitton around the world (Tokyo, Munich, Venice, Beijing, Seoul and Osaka), and has more recently created innovative large-scale global art projects, such as the 2022 collaboration with Yayoi Kusama that included giant statues of the artist in Paris and London, an anamorphic billboard in Tokyo, and a capsule collection of bags, shoes, accessories, luggage, and fragrances. In 2014, the Maison opened the landmark Frank Gehry-designed Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris, which further strengthened its continuing mission to bring the best modern and contemporary art to new audiences.

Louis Vuitton will present during Paris+ par Art Basel, which runs 20 – 22 October 2023 at the Grand Palais Éphémère, 2 Place Joffre, 75007 Paris, France.
From 13 October, the Louis Vuitton City Guide app will feature a new Contemporary Art «flânerie» – or stroll route – which will include a stop at Paris+ par Art Basel.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Louis Vuitton
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

I am so proud to announce that I am a member of Annabel’s Membership Committee. The famous and iconic London members club is not only known for its outstanding decor and great parties, but also for creating charitable moments.

The beautiful façade of Annabel’s London this September.

This September, it is hosting the fourth annual Annabel’s for the Amazon month, dedicated to raising awareness and vital funds to combat deforestation in the Brazilian Amazonian rainforest. The Caring Family Foundation (TCFF) continues to reforest with local traditional families, whilst also expanding their efforts to support indigenous communities more holistically alongside Brazil’s leading activists. This year’s façade highlights both the beauty and devastation of the Amazon rainforest. It stands as an artistic statement bridging the urgency of the deforestation crisis to London and the UK to remind us we all have a role to play in the safeguarding of our planet.

There is a global food crisis and a growing poverty gap. Amazonian deforestation is at a 15-year high, hurting local communities who are on the frontline. Violence against women and girls is widespread and growing.

The Caring Family Foundation (TCFF) is dedicated to improving the lives of women, with children at the heart of all that we do. We work to tackle child poverty, deforestation and domestic abuse, in the UK and Brazil, with our core focus remaining on women and children across these areas.

The club’s fourth Annabel’s For The Amazon gala is headlined by singer Seal and house group WhoMadeWho. The cocktail menu has been created in partnership with The Lost Explorer Mezcal, and each cocktail sold will plant 2.5 trees. It is a star-studded event with VIPs in attendance, including Andrew Garfield, James Corden, Douglas Booth, Wallis Day, Toheeb Jimoh, Harry Lawtey, Paul Forman, Chaneil Kular, and Ed McVey at the much-anticipated annual fundraising gala.

Amazing live performance by Seal

Throughout the campaign, the prestigious NFT Winds of Yawanawa is on display from Richard and Patricia Caring’s private collection. This first-of-its-kind co-creation between new media artist Refik Anadol and the Yawanawá community was commissioned by Impact One, as part of its Possible Futures programme. In the state of Acre, Brazil, The Yawanawa community neighbours communities supported by the ongoing works of The Caring Family Foundation.

True power couple: Richard and Patricia Caring

Patricia Caring, who is Brazilian and the Co-Founder of The Caring Family Foundation as well as Chairwoman of Annabel’s said, «Annabel’s for the Amazon was established four years ago and set out to raise awareness and funds for the crisis happening in the Amazon. We think about the Amazon for the trees but there is so much more that is affected by deforestation. Families strive to survive amongst the challenges, Mothers need to feed their children and communities are at the risk of extinction. Our work on the ground directly supports the livelihoods of the indigenous people in the Acre region who choose the species of trees planted by The Caring Family Foundation. It means they are able to grow, produce and generate income for their families, thereby giving them a chance to thrive.

Communities do their best to stand strong, but they need our support and protection. Together with the indigenous people, we can make a difference. They are the guardians of the Amazon rainforest, and we cannot forget that a healthier rainforest regulates our global climate and preserves biodiversity beyond Brazil. What happens in the Amazon has an impact on our world, but without the indigenous communities it’s hard for us to start thinking about hope for climate change, so that’s why The Caring Family Foundation and I stand for Brazil and for us.»

Richard Caring raising funds that night!

Annabel’s For The Amazon Gala 2023 stands as a shining example of the power of unity and commitment towards a crucial cause. Let us all take action, ensuring the protection and preservation of the Amazon rainforest for generations to come. Donate here!

LoL, Sandra

With lovely Lisa Tchenguiz and Mark Vandelli at the gala

Following the dress code of the Amazon… Harry Hazell in green velvet.
All details of my look will follow shortly.

With Alessandro Carra at the after party.

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht and Courtesy of Annabel’s
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.