Collaborations are big news, these days.  They simultaneously allow the artist or designer to reach the much greater audience of the brand; while allowing the brand to attract the artist’s sought-after followers.  That is, of course, an over simplification.  Take Louis Vuitton and Jeff Koons, for instance – whose MASTERS collaboration is being unveiled, tonight, at a posh dinner at Paris’ Louvre Museum for select guests including Catherine Deneuve, Michelle Williams, Léa Seydoux, and Jennifer Connolly.

As the creator of the most expensive work of art by a living artist sold at auction (Balloon Dog (Orange) sold for $58.4 million in 2013) it’s not as though Koons is climbing on Vuitton’s back to make a few shekels.  Nor is Louis Vuitton planning to appeal to people who aren’t already familiar with (and likely collectors of) their totes, bags, and scarves. If anything, they kind of break even.

Here’s the skinny…  Koons has taken five paintings – four Old Masters (one each from the High Renaissance, Venetian Renaissance, Baroque, and Rococo schools) and one Post-Impressionist – and with them has covered Vuitton’s signature bags (i.e. the Speedy, Keepall, and Neverfull), backpacks, wallets, shawls, and keychains.

There’s Peter Paul RubensThe Tiger Hunt, Titian’s Mars, Venus, and Cupid, Vincent Van Gogh’s Wheat Field with Cypresses (the second one that hangs in London), Jean-Honoré Fragonard’s La Gimblette, and Leonardo Da Vinci’s La Gioconda (better-known, on these shores, as the Mona Lisa).  The name of the artist has been splayed across each piece in large metallic letters, and the iconic LV has even been morphed (in some cases) into a JK (for Jeff Koons) – the first time the house has ever allowed their famous logo to be altered.

Upon opening the accessories, one will find Koons’ signature, on the inside, alongside a portrait and bio of the painting’s artist, as well as the logo of the museum that owns that work (with each museum receiving royalties, from sales of the collection).

The limited collection (prices range from $585 - $4,000) is available to the public, as of April 28th.  Until then, drop La Deneuve a line.  She’s probably swimming in handbags, and I hear she loves to share.

Jeff Koons X Louis Vuitton
MASTERS Collection
Click HERE for info

Get into it!
#LVxKoons

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