T his holiday season, Sotheby's presents The Art of Giving: The Luxury Wish List, a curated sale featuring one-of-a-kind gifts. From Hermès handbags, a limited-edition Louis Vuitton x Takashi Murakami Marilyn Trunk, works from KAWS and Tracey Emin, find the perfect gift this holiday season.
Extraordinary examples of the finest craftsmanship from Hermès, Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Bottega Veneta, browse a hand-picked selection of handbags in a variety of sizes, skins and colours, as well as accessories to complement every occasion.
"In our era of fast consumption and brand overload, Hermès stands the test of time. The savoir-faire of the maison founded in Paris by Thierry Hermès as a saddlery maker for French noblemen in 1837 is unparalleled."
Louis Vuitton is renowned for thinking outside the box. They have been at the forefront of brand collaborations and have paved the way before the other luxury houses adopted the same ideas. The Art of Giving is pleased to present examples of Louis Vuitton’s key collaborations, launched over the last several decades.
“The reason I collaborate with Louis Vuitton is that Louis Vuitton is number one in the world, and I am honored to work with them.”
Louis Vuitton long-standing relationship with Takashi Murakami has led to multiple collaborations with some of the most iconic and recognizable patterns found across the Louis Vuitton brand. From Cherry Blossoms to Monogram Multicolor these prints have become iconic.
Perhaps more than any other major artist of his generation, 51-year-old Takashi Murakami has called into question the boundaries between art and commerce, a fascinating territory that he has explored with great success through his collaboration with Louis Vuitton. Murakami first began collaborating with the revered luxury goods producer in 2003, when Marc Jacobs joined the house as Creative Director.
That year, Murakami took the famous Vuitton Monogram and made it his own by producing it in 33 different colours and applying it playfully on a classic bag - Time Magazine called it the number one moment in fashion of 2003.
Known for his eclectic use of colour and prints, Stephen Sprouse’s imagination became ingrained into the Louis Vuitton brand, creating some of the most sought-after collector’s items on the market. From his rose and graffiti motifs, his designs are perhaps the most recognizable.
Louis Vuitton’s Men’s Artistic Director, is known for pushing the boundaries within his mélange of the street and sophisticated style categories, effortlessly combining juxtapositions of high and low.
Louis Vuitton enlisted contemporary artist Jonas Wood to collaborate on a series of accessories. Wood’s works are made by producing collages from photographs, drawings and other mediums which he then reinterprets by introducing colours, shapes and geometric patterns.
Known for her unique art, focusing on interactive and immersive installations,Yayoi Kusama's patterns designed in conjunction with the iconic monogram canvas were easily recognized.
For designer and stylist Lydia Pili, fashion, luxury and collecting has been a life-long passion. After studying at Milan’s Marangoni Institute, she worked as a shoe designer in London and co-founded luxury lifestyle blog What-To-Where, as well as launching the What-to-Where Store near Geneva. We asked Lydia to pick her favorite below.
2020 has been a challenging year for all of us. Most of us had to remain indoors with endless time to reflect on the changes we needed to make. For some, lockdown triggered a spiritual awakening, for others an urgent desire to revamp their headquarters.
Whatever the circumstances, we all experienced a certain degree of hardship! Mine was being unable to visit my mother for more than 10 months due to travel restrictions and work commitments. Tracey Emin's "My heart is with you" is, in my opinion, the perfect gift to remind our loved ones just how important they are regardless of distance, restrictions and the hurdles keeping you apart. Fancy that, my mum also just so happens to be redecorating!
Although still very unsure of what this "festive" season will bring, one sure thing is that we should all make an effort to end the year on a high. For any festive celebrations, I find a subtle hint of sparkle the perfect addition to any outfit.
My plan this Christmas is to dazzle from the waist up regardless of the circumstances. This dark blue sequin Chanel is the perfect pick me up for the woman in your life and it will continue to spark joy long after the festivities have ended. Of course, we won't judge if you end up keeping it for yourself, the excuse would be selfcare, as I think they call it?
Although a slowly dying art form, handwriting is still by far the most special and appreciated skill in my opinion. I'm a firm believer that we should trade our keypads and tablets for pen and paper. I'm personally very fond of receiving handwritten notes and letters. This set of three sterling silver and sapphire pens makes the perfect gift for the man in your life. Not only will they think of you every time they use it, but the chances are they will use them daily. Not many other gifts can boast that!
The Louis Vuitton Monogram Steamer Trunk, 1930's, makes a perfect gift for any couple. In this instance, the Louis Vuitton trunk's versatility can make it the focal point of any room and can be used as a coffee table as well as a storage unit for pillows and blankets alike. It's monogram print is timeless and its design will never go out of style. If used as a coffee table I suggest getting a custom piece of glass made to top the trunk. It can then be dressed with coffee table books and candles.
