Lee Alexander McQueen’s foundation, Sarabande, has teamed up with luxury department store Bergdorf Goodman to create an unforgettable holiday shopping experience. In line with McQueen’s vision of supporting creatives in all fields, four artists from the Sarabande collective will have temporary artist-in-residences at the flagship store for three days starting on November 18.
The featured artists in this pop-up event are Camilla Hanney, a renowned Irish ceramic artist known for her unique and stylized creations; Castro Smith, who will showcase his engraving skills by working on modern jewelry using both European and Japanese techniques; Christopher Thompson Royds, an innovative jeweler who will transform his flora motifs into a stunning golden tiara; and Karimah Hassan, a multi-talented artist who will paint live inside the store. These artists will create an immersive and interactive experience for shoppers and visitors on the store’s third floor, and their exceptional works will be available for purchase at prices ranging from $750 to $5,500.
Apart from the artist residencies, Sarabande will also offer a limited edition book titled “Bound.” This exclusive book features the works of 36 artists and is meticulously hand-bound and wrapped in hand-embroidered linen by artisans from Uttar Pradesh. With only 100 editions available, the Bound book will be a collector’s item priced at $3,500.
Trino Verkade, the founding trustee of Sarabande, expressed her enthusiasm about bringing the talented artists to Bergdorf Goodman and providing them with the opportunity to set up temporary studios in such an iconic location. She emphasized the rarity of witnessing artists creating their work by hand and the dedication and time required for their crafts. Verkade believes that this collaboration offers a behind-the-scenes glimpse into an artist’s studio, providing a unique and immersive experience for all visitors.
Established in 2006 by the late Lee Alexander McQueen, Sarabande’s mission is to support future creative minds across various artistic disciplines. The foundation has provided spaces for over 130 artists, including fine art artists, fashion designers, jewelers, sculptors, filmmakers, photographers, prosthetic designers, and taxidermy artists. Since 2015, Sarabande has operated from a listed Stable Block in Haggerston, East London, where 15 studios foster a vibrant creative community. Many of the artists associated with Sarabande had previously collaborated with McQueen before his passing in 2010.
While this partnership marks the first collaboration between Sarabande and Bergdorf Goodman, the luxury department store has a history of supporting charitable organizations. Last year, Bergdorf Goodman partnered with City Harvest, New York City’s largest food rescue organization, and will continue to support their initiative this holiday season.
The collaboration between Sarabande and Bergdorf Goodman highlights the importance of supporting artists and creatives, whether established or emerging. It celebrates the unique visions and talents that artists bring to the world of art and fashion. With this pop-up experience, shoppers at Bergdorf Goodman have the incredible opportunity to engage with art in a fresh and immersive way while also contributing to McQueen’s legacy and supporting the work of the Sarabande foundation.
For more information about Sarabande and their initiatives, visit their official website here. To learn more about Bergdorf Goodman and their charitable efforts, visit their website here.
