Dior haute couture spring-summer 2025.
Photo: Laura Sciacovelli. Courtesy of Dior
The Artful Life: 6 Things Galerie Editors Love This Week
From artist Rithika Merchant’s immersive scenography for Dior haute couture to White Cube’s must-see Etel Adnan exhibition
The spiral staircase at Alaïa’s new Paris boutique on Rue du Faubourg-Saint-Honoré. Photo: Courtesy of Alaïa
A Diamond Stingily sculpture and Philippe Malouin sofa at Alaïa’s new Paris boutique on Rue du Faubourg-Saint-Honoré. Photo: Courtesy of Alaïa
1. Alaïa’s Largest Boutique Opens in Paris—With a Secret Sant Ambroeus
Azzedine Alaïa always longed for a retail presence on Rue du Faubourg Saint Honoré, the legendary shopping corridor in the 8th arrondissement graced by some of Paris’s finest fashion houses. More than seven years after his death, and a month shy of what would’ve been his 90th birthday, the beloved Tunisian couturier’s longtime dream has come true. The maison’s creative director Pieter Mulier envisioned the newly opened flagship as a romantic ode to all aspects of Alaïa’s personality, perspective, and design language, enlisting architects Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa of award-winning firm SANAA to shroud the historic address in the same soft, sculptural touches that define his goddess gowns. Four transparent tubular rooms grace the ground floor, which is blanketed in blush-pink carpeting that marries with muted, nude-toned walls to heavenly effect—the couture almost seems to float. Shrewdly selected art and design play off the garments, from Philippe Malouin’s plump and foamy Mollo armchairs to a bold Diamond Stingily sculpture wrapping synthetic black hair around galvanized steel chains. A dramatic spiral staircase whisks shoppers away to the mezzanine, home to a secret Le Café Sant Ambroeus serving up beverages and baked goods. The warm touch recalls Alaïa’s own knack for hospitality—he often hosted impromptu gatherings at his home and atelier nearby.—Ryan Waddoups
An installation view of "Etel Adnan This Beautiful Light" on view at White Cube in New York from 22 January through 1 March 2025. Photo: Frankie Tyska, © White Cube, ADAGP, Paris and DACS, London 2025
2. White Cube New York Presents a Must-See Etel Adnan Exhibition, the First Since Her Passing in 2021
New Yorkers looking to escape the dreary, grey days of January ought to pop into White Cube gallery on Madison Avenue. There, a spectacular assortment of vibrant paintings by the legendary Lebanese-American poet and artist Etel Adnan are on view in a new exhibition “This Beautiful Light,” through March 1. Marking the gallery’s first exhibition with the artist since her passing in 2021, and the first showing of her work since her Guggenheim New York blockbuster the same year, this thoughtful presentation features a selection of works spanning the last 20 years of practice. On view are the intimate, small-scale paintings she is perhaps best known for; bold abstract renditions of mountains, sky, and sea, but also an interesting mix of large-scale works in a variety of media. A particular highlight is Apple Tree (2021), a monumental ceramic mural measuring 10 x 13 feet that is based on a drawing by Adnan, which greets visitors at first entrance. Other works of note include a pair of her leporellos, accordion-folded booklets that stretch out over several feet in length revealing painterly lines inside and a selection of densely woven tapestries inspired by Tunisian and Egyptian weaving and made with Pinton in France.—Lucy Rees
Dior haute couture spring-summer 2025. Photo: Courtesy of Dior
Photo: Courtesy of Dior
3. Dior Taps Artist Rithika Merchant for Collaboration on Haute Couture Scenography
Continuing in her dedication to supporting female artists, Maria Grazia Chiuri looked to Rithika Merchant to create an immersive backdrop of nine paintings for the Dior haute couture spring-summer 2025. Woven into textile panels by Karishma Swali, Chanakya ateliers, and the Chanakya School of Craft, who are all frequent collaborators of the designer, the artworks created dramatic landscapes in the garden of the Rodin Museum in Paris, where the show was staged. Not only were guests at the presentation able to experience these exuberant masterpieces, which depict the Mumbai-born artist’s vision of botanical drawings and universal symbols, but the public will be able to visit the exhibition through February 2.—Jacqueline Terrebonne
Kubi Collection by Barbara Barry for HBF. Photo: Pippa Drummond
Kubi Collection by Barbara Barry for HBF. Photo: Pippa Drummond
4. Simple Yet Sensual Lounge Seating by an American Design Icon
Though four decades have passed since Barbara Barry launched her eponymous design firm, her process has held steady: “it starts with a watercolor,” she explains. And in the case of Kubi, the dynamic new lounge series the legendary designer launched for craft-forward contract furniture brand HBF, she sketched the simple silhouettes of the lush gardens and desert landscape surrounding her picturesque Southern California home, a low-slung modernist treasure built by architect Rodney Walker. The essence of that Edenic setting informs seven endlessly reconfigurable wooden pieces—a lounge chair, two-seater lounge, ottoman, bench, coffee table, modular table, and side table. Its rounded bolster and seat soften an angular frame, fostering a sense of stillness and support while accentuating interiors as an unmistakable statement piece. The full array is available in a medley of earth-toned finishes and an exclusive painted Agave Green finish that Barry developed so the fabric and form reads monolithically and seamlessly—not unlike the modern architecture and verdant landscapes that inspire her the most. —R.W.
Installation view of the Flamingo Estate pop-up The Carousel at Bloomingdale's in New York. Photo: Courtesy of Flamingo Estate
Flamingo Estate: The Guide to Becoming Alive (Chronicle Books) by Richard Christiansen. Photo: H Davidson
5. Flamingo Estate Introduces Bloomingdale’s Pop-Up, The Carousel
From his Edenic Los Angeles residence, Flamingo Estate founder Richard Christiansen oversees a collection of wholesome pantry and wellness staples ranging from locally sourced honey to botanical-infused soap. His dedication to natural growers and crafting products using slow, old-world techniques have earned the brand a legion of dedicated connoisseurs as well as a roster of art- and design-world collaborators like Kelly Wearstler and Ed Ruscha. Thankfully, Christiansen, a Galerie Creative Mind, isn’t shy about bringing his idea of “radical pleasure” on the road, opening pop-ups in The Hamptons, and now, Bloomingdale’s flagship in New York City. “I always wanted to create a wonderful expression of my LA home and garden, here in New York,” says the entrepreneur, who spent two decades in Manhattan before moving west. “We’ve covered the ceiling with all of my favorite fragrant plants, the same ones I hang from the ceiling of my goat shed and garden office. I’m so excited for my friends and all the people I love from my years in New York to come and experience my home, and take something back to theirs.” Visitors to the installation dubbed The Carousel can browse an assortment of Flamingo Estate apothecary products, or take part in some of the shop’s activations—on February 8, Christiansen will be signing copies of his book The Guide to Becoming Alive (Chronicle Books) while on select Saturdays through March visitors can enjoy samples from the pantry or receive custom calligraphy on olive oil bottles or candles.—Jill Sieracki
The White Lotus x Banana Republic. Photo: Courtesy of Banana Republic
The White Lotus x Banana Republic. Photo: Courtesy of Banana Republic
6. Banana Republic Teases The White Lotus Capsule Collection Ahead of Season 3 Debut
While the travel industry sees a healthy boost with each season of HBO’s hit show The White Lotus, the fashion world is hoping to experience similar success this go around. Timed perfectly with the network’s release of the full Season 3 trailer, Banana Republic announced The White Lotus capsule collection of menswear, womenswear, and accessories set to debut in March. The collection, which promises to celebrate the spirit of exploration through limited edition, resort-ready pieces, will feature the brands iconic silhouettes and vivid prints inspired by the show’s Thailand backdrop. “Our heritage, rooted in travel, meets the cinematic world of The White Lotus with a thoughtfully crafted collection that is both aspirational and attainable,” says Meena Anvary, Head of Marketing for Banana Republic. “This collection celebrates a sense of discovery and wit through a premium lens. Featuring tropical and vintage-inspired prints from our archives and landscapes of Thailand—it embodies the spirit of adventure.” Season 3 of The White Lotus will feature eight episodes and is set to debut on February 16.—Alexandria Sillo
Cover: Dior haute couture spring-summer 2025.
Photo: Laura Sciacovelli. Courtesy of Dior
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