Fashion Heads to the Venice Biennale

by SHOWstudio on 25 April 2022

The 59th International Art Exhibition takes place from 23 April to 27 November 2022. On opening week, brands including Louis Vuitton and Bottega Veneta made their mark on the prestigious art event.

The 59th International Art Exhibition takes place from 23 April to 27 November 2022. On opening week, brands including Louis Vuitton and Bottega Veneta made their mark on the prestigious art event.

Earlier this month, Burberry announced their partnership with The British Council to support the British Pavilion at La Biennale di Venezia, following in the footsteps of Maison Valentino who are the main sponsor for the Italian Pavilion. With the art fair opening to press this week, Louis Vuitton and Bottega Veneta staged events in the name of art and culture.

Hosting an exhibition by the German artist Katharina Grosse as part of the Espace Louis Vuitton, first established in 2013 and this year included in the Official Collateral Events of the La Biennale di Venezia, the French luxury brand Louis Vuitton have also been making their mark the winding streets of Venice. Refurbishing traditional newspaper kiosks and setting up pop-up book stands, the project is part of Louis Vuitton's on-going efforts to help preserve heritage and culture in Vienna as supporters of the Venetian Heritage Foundation. The featured work by Grosse is titled Apollo, nodding to the Greek god who epitomised male perfection in classical art. Drawing on the drapery of classical sculpture, Grosse has replaced traditional marble with metal mesh in homage to Venetian Terrazzo mosaics. Visible marks made by the artist make a play between the artist's own female body and that of a modern Apollo.

Louis Vuitton will also contribute to the renovation and restoration of the Gothic palazzo of the Museum of the Ca’ D’Oro, and over the weekend, the French house of Dior hosted a gala dinner with the Venetian Heritage organisation to raise money, in part, for the Ca'd'Oro Museum. Supporting the preservation of Venetian cultural legacy, they have also announced that a portion of the funds will be donated to Ukrainian refugees in Italy.

Courtesy Louis Vuitton
Photograph Malick Bodian, Bottega Veneta Winter 22

Bottega Veneta will be staging a series of projects over the following months, similarly tapping into the rich history of the city nodding in respect of the values of heritage and craft at the core of brand. Dancing Studies is a program of performances with the Pinault Collection, launched by François Pinault who is the owner of the conglomerate Kering under which Bottega Veneta sits. Launching with a dinner and performance by the choreographer Lenio Kaklea, the theme of dance which underpins the on-going project is something the brand have previously explored, partnering with the Royal Ballet on a production of Romeo and Juliet in 2019. Bottega Veneta continue to be the official partner of the Biennale di Danza, taking place in July, also emerging talents from the Biennale College Danza. Elsewhere in Venice, the first campaign by creative director Matthieu Blazy can be spotted along the canals, and a limited edition of fifteen bags created with typewriter maker Olivetti in the label's staple intrecciato weave are to be found at the Olivetti showroom.

Courtesy Bottega Veneta
Courtesy Bottega Veneta

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