The House Partners with the Iconic Architect and Artist for an Exhibition at Art Basel Paris
Louis Vuitton has announced its third consecutive partnership with Art Basel Paris, showcasing an exhibition that celebrates its long-standing collaboration with renowned architect and artist Frank Gehry. This exhibition, which takes place at the Grand Palais, explores nearly 20 years of creative synergy between Gehry and the fashion house.
Frank Gehry is celebrated not only for his architecture but also for his innovative approach to art and design. The exhibition, set on the Balcon d’Honneur, highlights his explorations of shape and material. Gehry himself contributed to the design of the exhibition, which includes a collection of objects, drawings, and models he created for Louis Vuitton.
This exhibition also marks the tenth anniversary of the Fondation Louis Vuitton, an iconic building Gehry designed in Paris. His journey with Louis Vuitton began in the early 2000s, with a design philosophy centered on transparency and light. Drawings and models from 2006 showcase Gehry’s unique approach to structure and glass, illustrating his blend of artistic vision with architectural precision. His latest project, the Maison Louis Vuitton Seoul, similarly plays with fluid forms and perspectives.
In 2021, Gehry extended his collaboration with Louis Vuitton by designing perfume stoppers for the Les Extraits fragrance line. These stoppers, known as the Blossom design, reinterpret organic shapes, inspired by flowers and flames. In 2022, these stoppers were reimagined entirely in Murano glass, highlighting Gehry’s skill in translating his organic aesthetics into unique pieces.
The exhibition also features a collection of bags inspired by Gehry’s architectural work. From the Capucines Mini Blossom to the BB Analog, these pieces reflect Gehry’s characteristic use of transparency and botanical motifs. The bags pay homage to some of Gehry’s most famous buildings, such as the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao and the Walt Disney Concert Hall. The Capucines MM Floating Fish bag incorporates the totem fish motif with intricate leather detailing, while the BB Croc bag includes an alligator-shaped handle.
This exhibition, part of the 2024 Art Basel Paris, will be held at the Grand Palais from October 18 to 20.