Shapes and colors that define kinetic sculptures: 20th century American designer Alexander Calder’s work is based on complex mechanisms that can turn on and move to interact with humans.
Dynamic ambitions that the world of art has been celebrating in countless retrospective exhibitions: to name a few, the current “Calder-Picasso” show at Malaga’s Picasso Museum (until February 2020), or the personal exhibits at New York’s Pace Gallery (until October 26) and at the Botín Center (until November 3).
Fashion has not just been waiting with folded arms. The latest tribute to the visionary creative has come from Mansur Gavriel, the luxury handbag brand created by Rachel Mansur and Floriana Gavriel, which launched a limited-edition capsule collection developed in collaboration with Fondazione Calder and the Hauser & Wirth Gallery.
Four classic silhouettes from the label’s: the iconic Mini Bucket Bag, the Circle Crossbody Bag, the Attaché and the Large Tote, all made in Veneto from soft vegetable leather, became canvases to just as many works by Calder, namely three Untitled pieces (from 1955, 1972 and 1974) and “Fogliame Verticale” from 1941.
We love Alexander Calder’s work for his purity of form
says Floriana Gavriel, cofounder of Mansur Gavriel.
His expression is both very delicate and bold at the same time. We often play with this line between bold and soft, masculine and feminine, nostalgic versus modern
We were very inspired by his prints and could have worked with many different artworks
Mansur added.
In the end we liked the idea of a bolder statement and combined his iconography in conjunction with our classic silhouettes
The limited-edition range is available for purchase on Mansur Gavriel’s website and in the brand’s retail stores, on Mateches Fashion and at selected Hauser & Wirth galleries.
Wearable art!