The Co-Founder of the Iconic Store Colette Is Collaborating on the Inaugural Chapter of the Art Fair’s New Retail Initiative
Art Basel, the world-renowned art fair, is set to unveil a new concept store with the assistance of Sarah Andelman, a brand consultant and the co-founder of esteemed Parisian concept store Colette. Colette closed in 2017 after two decades as a retail pioneer, during which it was known for its novel collaborations, celebration of emerging designers, and skill in blending fashion with design, art, and food.
The concept store, an initiative of Art Basel to enhance its brand experience, will debut at the 2024 Swiss Edition of Art Basel, scheduled to take place at Messe Basel from June 13 to 16, with previews on June 11 and 12. The opening of the store also coincides with the launch of a new and largely exclusive AB by Art Basel heritage line.
Andelman, who is also the founder of Just an Idea, a consultancy that handles a wide range of retail projects, has curated a selection of bespoke lifestyle products and collectibles that will be on display at the Art Basel Shop. Of note will be a variety of exclusive, special-edition items across art, design, fashion, and publishing, available to the attendees of the fair and the public locally for a limited time.
Art Basel Shop signifies the organization’s maiden venture into owned product design and distribution. The shop will play a pivotal role in Art Basel’s greater mission to advance its services, create more opportunities for artists, and engage with its ever-growing community of art professionals and enthusiasts more profoundly.
The Art Basel Shop is fully aligned with our vision to create new ways to engage and positively impact our audience, to deliver more value to galleries, artists and cultural partners, and to materially celebrate and reinforce Art Basel as a best-in-class, unmissable cultural experience.
Hayley Romer, Art Basel’s chief growth officer
With deep passion for artist editions of all kinds, Andelman ensures the first edition of The Art Basel Shop will feature a rich diversity of products. These reflect the collective tastes of collectors and art enthusiasts worldwide. To this aim, they have collaborated with American, Berlin-based artist Christine Sun Kim to develop a limited edition line of products which will be featured exclusively at Art Basel 2024.
“This first edition of The Art Basel Shop reflects the diversity of products that speak to collectors and art lovers alike: rare, exclusive, surprising. The products hail from all corners of the world, while being tailor-fit for the show’s host city and presenting artists,” Andelman said.
The increasing interest in retail within the realm of collectible art and design, boosted by the active collectible design market and an expanding community of collectors, has led to the success of enterprises like MoMA Design Store. Launched online in 1998, it has evolved into a significant omnichannel enterprise, with purchases supporting the Museum of Modern Art’s collections and educational programs.
MoMA Design Store has outlets strategically located in New York City, Tokyo, Kyoto, and Hong Kong, and operates e-commerce in the U.S., Japan, and Hong Kong. In the coming years, the company is keen to expand to emerging design and cultural destinations, such as Portugal and South Korea.
