The Artful Life: 7 Things Galerie Editors Love This Week

1. Landmark Exhibition Celebrating Giorgio Armani Opens at Milan’s Pinacoteca di Brera

In celebration of Giorgio Armani’s 50th anniversary, an exhibition at Milan’s famed Pinacoteca di Brera will pair the recently deceased fashion legend’s creations alongside some of the world’s most extraordinary works of art. Through over 120 examples culled from the Armani/Archivio, “Giorgio Armani: Milano, per Amore” tells the story of the brand’s innovation, tailoring, and craftsmanship over five decades. Visual and textural juxtapositions place fashion in conversation with masterpieces in the museum’s collection—showcasing each in a new light while highlighting the clothing’s unique examples of techniques, finishes, and embroidery. 

“Giorgio Armani represents one of the highest pinnacles of Italian creativity, expressed in the essentiality and rigor of form, a rigor that evolved from aesthetic to in the sense that it permeated his way of living and working,” says Angelo Crespi, director of the Pinacoteca di Brera. “In this, Giorgio Armani embodies the character of Milan most fully. He is also the most emblematic expression of the culture of Brera, a unique place in the world where art, research and innovation have been practiced for five hundred years.” The show will run from September 24 and runs through January 11, 2026.—Jacqueline Terrebonne

2. Harry Winston Unveils Four New Petite High Jewelry Versions of the Ocean Date Moon Phase with Shimmering Diamonds and Precious Gemstones

In 2023, Harry Winston celebrated the 25th anniversary of its premier sport line: the Ocean Collection with a blinged out limited-edition high jewelry variation of the Ocean Date Moon Phase Automatic 42mm, a masterful blend of refined sportiness and high glamour. Now, the house unveils a new duet of petite high jewelry versions with a precious array of diamonds. Reflecting the current trend for smaller, more compact case sizes, these new limited editions are housed in refined 36mm gold cases. In a limited edition of just ten pieces in rose gold and ten pieces in white gold, the new pieces feature 140 invisibly-set baguette-cut diamonds with the decentered displays for the time and moon phases float elegantly above. With 656 additional baguettes adorning the bracelet, there is nearly a thousand diamonds in total.

In addition to the dazzling diamond-encrusted Ocean Moon Phases, there are two new references with vibrantly colored mother-of-pearl dials and a bold splash of colored gemstones. The radiant blue mother-of-pearl model is a nod to the history of the 45.52 carat blue Hope Diamond that Mr. Winston, known as the “King of Diamonds,” acquired in 1949. The case is invisibly set with 80 baguette-cut intense blue sapphires. The green version, meanwhile, is equipped with a Swiss automatic movement with a generous power reserve of 68 hours and a dazzling sprinkling of baguette-cut emeralds. Both models are paired with alligator leather straps matching the dial color. –- Lucy Rees

3. Loren Daye Reimagines USM’s Iconic Storage System as Nomadic Shelter 

Throughout her career as an interior designer, Loren Daye has shaped some of the most genre-defining spaces in hospitality, from her decade spent as creative director of Ace Hotel Group to the human-centric spaces she conjures as founder of Catskills studio Love Is Enough. Now, with a new installation called “The Room You Carry” at the expansive SoHo showroom of USM Modular Furniture until December 23, Daye is pushing her practice into its most public form yet. She reimagined the Swiss brand’s iconic Haller storage system as an architectural material, building a nomadic refuge envisioned as part forest shelter, part urban capsule. “How can it become a wall, a protective surface, something to anchor to, shelter from the storm?” Daye asks, inviting reflection on the essentials of refuge. Displayed throughout are custom USM pieces designed exclusively for the installation: a tent-like pavilion, raw steel paravents, and casegoods finished with chrome and glass, each accented by carved-wood accessories made from reclaimed Hudson Valley timber. Projected wildlife footage and Daye’s personal mementos heighten the atmosphere, which is grounded in interiority and elegance owing to USM’s clean-lined geometries. “It has always represented elegant Swiss order,” Daye reflects. “I strongly identify with restraint and repetition. Discipline is god to me.” —Ryan Waddoups

4. Where’s Maurizio? Avant Arte Launches Scavenger Hunt for Cattelan’s Mini Sculptures Across Select Cities

The debut collaboration between artist Maurizio Cattelan and Avant Arte may have you doing double-takes in the most unexpected places. Beginning later this month, a scavenger hunt of sorts will kick off in New York, Amsterdam, and London, featuring Cattelan’s We are the Revolution (2025) resin self-sculpture, which reimagines his revered work Untitled (2000). A microsite will release two clues per location, with the sculptures hidden in unexpected locations spanning bodegas and other shops. The figures will be priced according to location—ranging $0.99 cents at a bodega to upwards of $9,999 at an antiques dealership. New York’s scavenger hunt will be physical, while Amsterdam and London will be conducted online.

Of the collaboration, the artist, known for his social critique and provocative work says, “If you never thought you would be able to hang my effigy in your home, that makes two of us.” The scavenger hunt is being hosted ahead of the official release of We are the Revolution, which is limited to 1,000 editions and will be distributed via a randomized draw on Avant Arte’s website. “We’re delighted to launch our first collaboration with Maurizio Cattelan—an exciting start to what will be a series of limited editions inspired by his landmark Guggenheim exhibition, All,” says Mazdak Sanii, CEO and co-founder of Avant Arte. “Collaborating with one of the most influential artists of our time on this series of limited edition sculptures as been an incredible experience and we’re eager to share it with our community of collectors around the world.”—Alexandria Sillo

5. Domaine des Etangs Partners with Bernardaud for Exclusive Guest Experience

Situated on an emerald-green stretch of lakeside property near Aquitaine, France, Auberge Resorts’s Domaine des Etangs is like strolling into a storybook fantasy. A stone château constructed over 700 years ago, the hotel encompasses a spectacular array of accommodations—from romantic multi-room cottages to uniquely curated guest rooms and suites—a Michelin-starred restaurant, and an award-winning spa, as well as a dynamic collection of major artworks and vibrant schedule of rotating exhibitions. Now, the property is celebrating the art of the table with a joint effort with esteemed French porcelain brand Bernardaud. Exclusive to Domaine des Etangs guests, these immersive experiences offer visitors the opportunity to learn the history of teatime alongside a Bernardaud expert over a delectable service of pastries made by the hotel chef, or get a rare look inside Bernardaud’s Limoges atelier to see how artisans craft the refined porcelain tableware. However, perhaps the event most befitting the setting is the “Au-Delà du Repas-The Elegance of the Table” workshop, which delves into the history and evolution of French dining etiquette followed by a four-course dinner prepared by Matthieu Pasgrimaud, Executive Chef of Domaine des Etangs’s Michelin-starred Dyades. It’s the royal treatment in the most regal of destinations.—Jill Sieracki

6. At Koju, the Ace Hotel Brooklyn Serves Up Exquisite Omakase

Tucked within the skylit garden room off the Ace Hotel Brooklyn’s bustling lobby is Koju, a newly opened 14-seat omakase bar and the latest jewel—or “fortunate pearl,” as the name translates in Japanese—in the crown of LDV Hospitality’s portfolio. Executive Chef Kevin Garrison, who previously helmed Sushi Zo Hanare, and partner Hiro Nishida, a restaurateur behind more than 30 dining concepts, present a 13-course menu that layers seasonality with technique and emotion. Alongside finely sliced nigiri and elegant hand rolls, guests encounter seasonal highlights from fall delicacy Ha Gatsuo (striped bonito) to Hokkaido scallops and kinmedai (golden eye snapper), as well as playful expressions like a triple toro roll stacked with akami, chutoro, and otoro. Beverage director Giacomo Ellena extends the journey with sake pairings, rare Japanese whiskies, and cocktails that weave Eastern ingredients into Western forms. Studio Tre shaped the bar from dark green Breccia d’Egitto stone capped with white oak, wrapped the walls in cedar paneling, and lined the ceiling with bamboo matchstick. Wegner chairs upholstered in indigo-dyed Hosoo textiles and repurposed Noguchi Akari lanterns complete the refined setting. Koju will also delight audiophiles with a curated library of more than 120 vinyl records of Japanese pop music, played on an ultra-rare Audio Technica turntable that glows in shifting colors, adding a visual rhythm to the experience.—R.W.

7. LALO Tequila Introduces Next Chapter in Limited-Edition Series

Just in time for Hispanic Heritage Month, LALO Tequila has introduced its 2025 High Proof Blanco. The special expression, which follows the inaugural 2024 High Proof release, is bottled at 50% ABV with no water added after distillation, marking the first-ever tequila the brand has crafted using the “distilled to proof” method. Using fully mature agave, deep well water, and champagne yeast, the release honors the brand’s third generation traditions in tequila making. “LALO’s foundation is built on a deep respect for the agave plant, which is a value passed down to me from my father and grandfather, who were both tequilamakers,” said Eduardo “Lalo” González, co-founder of LALO. “Our 2025 High Proof honors that heritage and tradition while celebrating the dynamic flavor of the agave. This expression means a lot to me because it captures the tequila industry’s shift towards innovation and authenticity, values that inspire us at LALO and have allowed us to grow the brand while staying true to our roots.” The release also comes as Tito’s Handmade Vodka has announced that it will acquire the majority stake in LALO Tequila. “This moment is a natural continuation of our journey, and we’re excited to introduce LALO to more people across the world while preserving every element that makes us special,” González said, of the partnership.—A.S.