Louis Vuitton and Sotheby’s Unite for Charity Auction of Remade Artycapucines Bags

Louis Vuitton, renowned luxury fashion house, and Sotheby's, the esteemed destination for art and luxury, are embarking on an exclusive collaboration. From June 28th to July 12th, they will jointly host a dedicated auction featuring 22 artist-designed Louis Vuitton Artycapucines bags. Each bag, exquisitely remade and adorned with the artist's signature, will be presented in a Monogram-covered Louis Vuitton Boîte Chapeau. The auction aims to benefit a diverse range of charities and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

The ongoing Artycapucines Collection provides leading contemporary artists with a platform to infuse their unique visions into Louis Vuitton's iconic Capucines bag. Named after Rue Neuve-des-Capucines, the Parisian street where Louis Vuitton's first store opened in 1854, the Capucines bag serves as an ideal canvas for artistic expression. Since 2019, the collection has invited 24 international artists to reimagine this timeless and feminine classic. The resulting limited-edition bags exemplify the fusion of artists' creativity with Louis Vuitton's tradition of innovation and artisanal savoir-faire.

The 22 Artycapucines bags featured in the Louis Vuitton and Sotheby's collaborative auction are one-of-a-kind creations. These exceptional pieces undergo the same meticulous craftsmanship and employ the finest materials as the original limited-edition versions. The creation process involves meticulous resourcing of materials and a wide range of time-intensive artisanal techniques. Each bag is personally signed by the artist beneath the flap and will be elegantly presented in a Monogram-covered Louis Vuitton Boîte Chapeau—a modern interpretation of the Maison's 1924 hat box design. These unique boxes will also bear the artist's customizations, ranging from simple signatures to elaborate artworks.

Louis Vuitton pledges to donate its net proceeds from the sale of each Artycapucines bag to a specific charity or NGO chosen by the artist. The selected beneficiaries include prominent organizations such as UNICEF and NGOs dedicated to poverty reduction, disaster relief, education, and refugee rights. By intertwining art, fashion, and philanthropy, this collaboration seeks to make a positive impact on communities worldwide.

The collaborative auction showcases the talent and vision of 22 participating artists. The artists, including Amélie Bertrand, Daniel Buren, Sam Falls, Urs Fischer, and many more, have each chosen a charity or NGO close to their hearts. This diverse group of artists represents a global spectrum of creativity and compassion, amplifying the auction's philanthropic reach.

In the spirit of Louis Vuitton's century-long relationship with the arts, the 22 Artycapucines bags will be publicly exhibited at Sotheby's Paris headquarters on Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré from July 1st to July 5th, 2023. This exclusive collaboration marks a significant milestone for Sotheby's Handbags & Accessories department, aligning with its ongoing commitment to supporting emerging artists and designers. The exhibition invites art enthusiasts and fashion aficionados alike to witness the intersection of luxury, art, and philanthropy.

The Louis Vuitton and Sotheby's Artycapucines auction will be accessible for online bidding at sothebys.com from June 28th to July 12.