Culture | Aug. 2023
MATERIAL PURSUITS
By Contributor
This weekend’s curated luxury trends.
BESPOKE WALLPAPER
British wallpaper brand Graham & Brown recently introduced three new wallpaper designs in the U.S., each influenced by multicultural references and the mixture of materials, creating a rich and diverse palette drawn from around the globe. One of our favorites of this collection is the Hartley Damask, a sophisticated creation with nuances that bridge past and present. Damask is a patterned textile, deriving its name from the fine patterned fabrics produced in Damascus, Syria, in the European Middle Ages. Graham & Brown’s Hartley Damask design brings the intricate filigree design to life with precious metallic intricacies. True damask was originally wholly of silk, but gradually the name came to be applied to a certain type of patterned fabric regardless of fiber. This fresh design combines British country manor chic, paying homage to the heritage gardens of Britain, with the historical nature of this woven design technique. Hartley Damask is available in four colorway—Wedgewood, Teal, Neutral, and Sage, with perfectly partnered paints and fabrics carefully chosen to create a seamless interior scheme. grahambrown.com
ARCHIVAL ELEGANCE
Supermodel Liu Wen brings the poetry of simplicity to a timeless icon of Gucci’s iconic Bamboo 1947 bag—which is being pulled straight from the archives for a new campaign that puts female empowerment at the forefront. Back in post-war 1947 when traditional materials were difficult to find, Gucci used the lightweight, durable bamboo for the handle of a new bag. The curved bamboo handle forged by a flame crowns the 1947 leather creation, marking the house as an innovator in craftsmanship. Gucci’s new Bamboo 1947 campaign, photographed and directed by David Sims, portrays an intimate exchange from one icon to another. The campaign celebrates the purity of a design that is free from the constraints of time or trends. With its iconic bamboo top handle, every connotation presents a one-of-a-kind, precious piece of design. In this poetic mirroring of the human context, every bag is unique and presents its own set of individual nuances to be treasured. Available for $4,600 at gucci.com.
THE WOLF OF FIFTH AVENUE
Home to the financial markets on Wall Street as well as the fashion houses of Fifth Avenue, New York City is a worldwide hub for high-end luxury. RM Sotheby’s, the leading private sales and auctioneer of premium collectibles, is once again bringing the world’s most desirable luxury motor cars to this cosmopolitan city with a dedicated auction hosted at Sotheby’s global New York headquarters—including the 1989 Lamborghini Countach 25th Anniversary which appeared in Martin Scorsese’s 2013 film The Wolf of Wall Street. This exclusive boutique sale during Sotheby’s Luxury week on December 8 puts the “hero car” driven by Leonardo DiCaprio (who played high-flying financial “Wolf ” Jordan Belfort) on the market for the first time. One of the most memorable vehicles in modern film history—having transcended the boundaries of its own automotive legacy and embraced the realm of timeless cinematic artistry—is made rarer still with the fact that only 12 were believed to have been made in this specification. Expect this film icon to sell for between $1.5 and $2 million. rmsothebys.com
