The Louis Vuitton trunk designed by 'Claire'.
Hermès and Louis Vuitton, hundred-year-old brands where they exist, were born with the imprint of quality, both in the materials and in the manufacture of their products. In recent years they have concentrated their efforts precisely on highlighting that founding philosophy and highlighting the work of the craftsman as the creator of each piece. For what they have installed surprising communication strategies that seek to become news and claim the 'handmade'. His ingenious bet, to give a new twist to some of his most emblematic products by adding the work of unconventional artists to their design.
London Louis Vuitton has already done it with punk designer Stephen Sprouse and artist Takashi Murakami. This time the chosen one has been Greyson Perry. The artist, who won the Turner Prize in 2003, continues to perform with his alter ego Claire, and is considered a warrior of art , including harsh social messages about the ceramic pieces that characterize him.
The classic-style vessels are flooded, with an aggressive line, with contemporary motifs and references: mobile phones, car parts, supermodels, sad and abused girls, and autobiographical moments. One of Louis Vuitton's classic trunks has been decorated by him as if it were one of his vessels. He has filled it with pastoral figures and shines, due to its absence, brutality and denunciation, its usual themes. He has preferred to give the piece an aura of doll play, with a typical fifty-year-old teddy bear presiding over the ensemble, which is none other than the artist's imaginary pet, his true fetish.
The trunk is displayed in the New Bond Street store and is accompanied by an audiovisual about the artist himself and three dresses designed for the bear by students from one of the fashion courses at Central St Martin's School of Art. This installation has been presented as part of an exhibition by the artist that can be seen at the British Museum in London until February 19, 2012. The title, 'Tomb of the Unknown Craftsman', refers to the tomb of the unknown craftsman, and is a tribute to the unknown men and women who have forged the roots of the craft for centuries. In addition, as curator, Perry has selected various pieces from the British Museum's permanent collection to interact with his own in the exhibition.
Kongo scarf for the Carré de Hermès collection.
Barcelona Hermès has opted for 'Street art' to give an alternative twist to his image. The traditional luxury of Hermès and the work of the artist Cyril Phan, known as Kongo, came together in his store on Paseo de Gracia in Barcelona in the first installation that the firm has carried out in this window. With his usual energy, Kongo finished his colorful graphic work on a brick wall that he built himself, and which was exposed for a fortnight.
This ephemeral initiative continues the relationship between the house and the artist after the launch of the Hermès Graff by Kongo carré, which the Frenchman has designed together with Bali Barret, artistic director of Hermès silk. These handkerchiefs, 'carré', which reflect traces of explosions in neon colors on the graffiti typography, surprise and deceive at the same time, who would have said a few years ago that some would wear graffiti on their necks with the Hermès label.
What might seem like a contradiction, it attests to the brand's intention to show the public its support for avant-garde art without forgetting its original values centered on craftsmanship. This year ends and, with it, the motto that has starred in different Hermès actions: "The Contemporary Craftsman since 1873" , and the various presentations around the world in which they have shown the artisans working live on some pieces.
Among other actions, following this line, its new collection was launched in Madrid with a set design by the Cul de Sac designers in which it was transmitted the value of work tools of the people who configure each brand's product piece by piece.
In London or in Barcelona superlative luxury leans on the traditional -crafts- and in the extreme -the most radical art-, but it is just another way to continue being a classic.
The artist Kongo in collaboration with Hermès.