Balenciaga's Le City bag recaptures its early years
Fashion is in love with the early 2000s right now, and Balenciaga, the Kering-owned brand, has brought back the iconic Le City bag, which was introduced in 2001. The new bag, which comes in small and medium sizes with Adjustable shoulder strap and cross straps, it is available in black, yellow, green, light purple, metallic steel gray, metallic silver, white, blue and beige. The style and construction of the new versions of the bag (including studs, zipper pulls and rivets with leather laces) were inspired by archival bags. A small Le City bag costs $2,350, while a medium bag costs $2,850. (The small metallic silver Le City bag is $2,390 and the medium version is $2,900.) The bags are sold on balenciaga.com and in select stores. Additionally, as part of the reintroduction, fashion photographer Mario Sorrenti shot a campaign featuring portraits of Kate Moss, Danish model Mona Tougaard, Chinese actress and singer Yang Chaoyue, and Korean singer Juyeon.
Kinn Studio and Almina Concept collaborate on the first commercial space
(Lauren Moore / Design Suite; Kinn Studio)
Jewelry brand Kinn Studio and women's clothing brand Almina Concept have collaborated on a new six-month pop-up space at Mini Style Mecca Platform in Culver City. It is the first physical space for each brand. AAPI founders Jennie Yoon of Kinn Studio and Angela Gahng of Almina Concept wanted to give shoppers a personalized experience while recognizing Los Angeles and its Korean heritage. You'll find fine jewelry and vintage watches from Kinn Studio alongside contemporary fashion pieces from Almina Concept, made in Seoul, South Korea. The minimalist store look was created by interior designer Lauren Moore of Los Angeles-based Design Assembly. 8850 Washington Blvd., Culver City, kinnstudio.com, almina-concept.com
'Louis Vuitton: A Perfume Atlas' explores the world of fragrances
Louis Vuitton offers customers and readers a glimpse into how its fragrances are made with the launch of the book “Louis Vuitton: A Perfume Atlas” ($160, Thames & Hudson), which captures Louis Vuitton master perfumer Jacques Cavallier-Belletrud , while searching. worldwide for the ingredients used in the French brand's fragrances. Through illustrations, photographs and text, the 380-page book covers how flowers are grown, growing seasons and techniques used in harvesting. It also explores how essential oils are extracted and used to create fragrances. The book, which is presented on three covers (rose, lemon and jasmine), is by Cavallier-Belletrud and co-author Lionel Paillès, illustrator Aurore de la Morinerie and photographer Sébastien Zanella. Additionally, the limited edition “A Perfume Atlas” box ($5,000, in-store only) includes 45 vials with raw material extractions selected by Cavallier-Belletrud. The book is available at louisvuitton.com and book retailers.
Cartier renovates and reopens its South Coast Plaza store
Luxury house Cartier's renovated and expanded boutique at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa celebrates all things Orange County and Southern California. Agency Moinard Bétaille, which has collaborated with Cartier for decades, including on the Paris flagship store, drew inspiration for the elegant renovated space from the varied landscape and terrain of Southern California. (Think Newport Beach and Laguna Beach with the Mojave Desert and Joshua Tree.) Upon entering the store, which reopened in April, the first thing you'll likely notice is the three-dimensional façade, as well as the large panel depicting a panther next to François Mascarello. In the boutique's mix of fine jewelry, watches, leather goods, fragrances and more, you'll also find local flora, handcrafted cane columns inspired by palm trees, and a hand-painted Moss & Lam mural. And don't forget to check out Atelier Midavaine's lacquer and mother-of-pearl panel in the bridal area, the custom dahlia-shaped chandeliers in the space, and the Lasvit glass canopy chandelier, inspired by the area's skate parks. 3333 Bristol St., Costa Mesa, cartier.com
'Mickalene Thomas: All About Love' comes to the Broad
Mickalene Thomas, “Afro Goddess Looking Forward,” 2015, rhinestones, acrylic and oil on wood panel, 60 x 96 x 2 inches.
(Mickalene Thomas)
In these difficult times, the exhibition “Mickalene Thomas: All About Love” at the Broad could be the antidote we need to healing and redemption and to truly loving others and ourselves. After all, the exhibition takes its name and several themes from bell hooks' acclaimed text that focuses on the question: “What is love?” As the first international tour of Thomas's work, this exhibition features more than 80 works from the past two decades and examines themes including beauty, politics, memory, eroticism and sexuality, with a focus on people who have been marginalized and excluded in art. history. In the exhibition, she will discover mixed media painting and collage, photography and more, including large-scale works, from the innovative Camden, New Jersey native. The exhibition themes are also part of new programming in collaboration with Thomas, with a summer concert series in the works and gallery programs focused on women and Black and queer communities. “Mickalene Thomas: All About Love,” which was co-organized by London's Hayward Gallery, Broad and Philadelphia's Barnes Foundation, will run from May 25 to September 29. 221 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, thebroad.org
The exhibition 'Simone Leigh' arrives at LACMA and CAAM
Simone Leigh, “Sentinel”, 2019. Right, “Dunham”, 2023, courtesy of the artist, Matthew Marks Gallery.
(Timothy Schenck)
The “Simone Leigh” exhibition is the first comprehensive look at the artist's work, with a joint exhibition by the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the California African American Museum that presents around 20 years of the artist's ceramic output , bronze and video, in addition to his powerful work 2022. Venice Biennale Presentation. According to a synopsis of the museums, Leigh has continued to explore questions around “black women's subjectivity and knowledge production,” as well as addressing “historical periods, traditions, and geographies with her art that references vernacular processes and events.” at the hands of the entire African diaspora. as well as forms traditionally associated with African art and architecture.” “Simone Leigh,” a traveling exhibition organized by ICA Boston and co-presented in SoCal by LACMA and CAAM, runs from May 26 to January 20. 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, lacma.org; 600 State Drive, Los Angeles, caamuseum.org
Michael Kors collection returns to Beverly Hills
(Michael Kors Collection)
Designer Michael Kors is experiencing a coming full circle moment as he brings his Michael Kors Collection boutique back to Beverly Hills after a four-year hiatus. The new European-inspired two-level space, which recently opened on Two Rodeo Drive, has a restrained yet luxurious residential feel thanks to a large video wall, blackened steel, raw concrete, antique brass, golden Calcutta marble, maple rusty and natural wood. light. (This is the North American debut of this new Collection store concept.) In the chic mix, look for women's pieces from the spring and summer collection and other street-level products along with bags and other accessories in the lower floor. 242 N. Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, michaelkors.com
Billy Reid opens new store in Venice
Designer Billy Reid is delighted with the location of his brand's 12th store, this one on Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice. That's because, although he has Southern roots, Reid, a multiple Council of Fashion Designers of America award winner, spent four years living in Los Angeles. The new Southern California outpost also allows Reid's luxury brand to connect with customers face-to-face, having built Los Angeles into one of the brand's largest markets, primarily through the e-commerce. The store will offer men's and women's collections as well as accessories, all within a space that features Reid's take on modern Southern decor along with high ceilings, exposed beams and brick, and a large glass display case. The look of the space includes Turkish rugs, various pieces of art, and a large bookshelf that spans the back wall. 1351 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice, billyreid.com
