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Keith Haring, one of the most celebrated artists from 1980s’ New York, has finally collaborated with the French luxury brand Louis Vuitton on a project that brings handbags to life with his iconic artwork. In celebration of the announced partnership between Louis Vuitton and the late artist, the House launches a 13-piece Artycapucines handbag collection designed with the unique style of Haring. The impressive handbags will be showcased at the Louis Vuitton booth during Art Basel Paris starting from October 23, joining other Artycapucines projects created in collaboration with renowned visual artists, writes Art News.
Each bag is produced using a variety of techniques to recreate Keith Haring’s distinctive style on luxury leather handbags. Leather marquetry, laser printing, embroidery, embossing and enameled charms are just some of the techniques that are used on the Capucines handbags as part of the Artycapucines series. Inlaid ostrich and karung leather is used on some of the pieces and over 12,000 crystals have been hand appliquéd onto one of the clutch bags.
The tote bags in the collection include the Capucines BB Holiday handbag made from calfskin leather with the designs of dolphins swimming in the sea of human figures made from leather inlay work in very bright pinks and blues. Another evening clutch is adorned with over 12,000 crystals in the design of Keith Haring’s 1984 “Running Heart” artwork. The “Statue of Liberty” and “Big Apple” motifs have been creatively reworked on a minaudière designed to resemble a takeout noodle box. The minaudière is a further example of Haring’s connection to New York street culture and its iconic urban landscapes.
The entire Artycapucines collection, including handbags as well as clothing, leather luggage, wallets and accessories, will be presented in a second part of the collaboration later this year. A first look at some of these items was already given during the Louis Vuitton Cruise show, which took place at the Frick Collection in New York and featured the artist’s work on clothing. The handbags will be available in the brand’s 460 stores worldwide.
“Radiant Baby” is a symbol of birth, hope and the infinite potential of life according to Louis Vuitton, which makes these new versions of the Capucines bags so much more than simple luxury items. In reality they are testaments to the time in which Haring lived and in which the artist was able to bridge two apparently opposed worlds of art: that of the street and that of luxury.
