Intimate champagne party at Louis Vuitton’s Elmgreen & Dragset exhibition

Earlier this year, Scandinavian artists Elmgreen & Dragset had their monumental bronze equestrian statue unveiled at Trafalgar Square, on top of the Fourth Plinth featuring a care-free boy on a rocking horse. They have formed a creative partnership with Louis Vuitton to present works for the New Bond Street Maison. I was invited along by Louis Vuitton to an intimate cocktail party to mingle with the guests, and view the exhibition. One work is the Omnes Una Manet Nox (One night awaits us all), where Louis Vuitton employees are encouraged to sleep on an over-sized white bed with a bedtime story reader sat by the side, reading out from a book. I love how when the employees choose to sleep on the bed, they become part of the show. The artwork questions, what is the ultimate taboo when you are at work? Answer: falling asleep on the job.

A golden vulture sits on one of its bed posts, and a few metres further away in the room sits a nest containing a tiny, precious golden egg.

Another piece on display is a large wall safe with a timed bomb attached to it. The timer is live and was counting down when I personally had a look, and no one – not the PRs or store assistants have any idea what will happen once the clock timer reaches zero. On the ground floor in the store, near the entrance doors is a smaller scale version of the boy on a rocking horse found at Trafalgar Square’s Fourth Plinth.

The works are designed to challenge your expectations of retail experience to introduce “a little bit of chaos” and produce something out of the ordinary.

After viewing the exhibition, I had a good look around the maison and had the time of my life. I felt like a child in a sweets shop as I was given the VIP treatment. Every single employee I encountered made me feel right at home and one engaged me in a friendly chat. One staff member said I was a “friend of Louis Vuitton” which made me feel immensely special, and I was given the freedom to take photos – something that is usually strictly forbidden. The PR girls were truly lovely as well – one spent much of her time keeping me company by chatting and making jokes. I am so grateful to the luxury brand for being incredibly hospitable, and for making me feel a very special guest. As I walked down the stairs, there was a lady at the foot of the stairs. She flashed me a large grin, and asked me to come back again soon.

SLIDESHOW AND GALLERY:

LOUIS VUITTON AND ART

For over 155 years, Louis Vuitton has entertained a close relationship with art. Symbolising French elegance and art de vivre, the Maison Louis Vuitton has always collaborated with the best engineers, decorators and artists. Marc Jacobs, artistic director since 1997, has given renewed impetus to Louis Vuitton’s ties with art by initiating partnerships with internationally renowned artists such as Stephen Sprouse, Takashi Murakami and Richard Prince, further strengthening the Maison’s commitment to developing the dialogue between luxury and contemporary art.