While Art Basel does remain first-and-foremost a giant art fair, it has increasingly become a hub for all things cool and cultural. In a way, this time in Miami is the perfect incarnation of New York-based Patrick Church, who himself is an artist first-and-foremost while also parlaying his talents into fashion and design. As such, the festivities down south wouldn’t feel quite right without any involvement from the London Native.
Enter his new storefront collaboration with online auction house Paddle 8. On display for three months at the W Hotel, the collaboration is kicking off with six vintage Louis Vuitton bags, all revamped with Church’s idiosyncratic embellishments. For imagery of the bags, Church tapped one of downtown New York’s most beloved icons, Sophia Lamar, after a photographer friend suggested a shoot with her.
“I thought she really embodied [the city],” Church says about the casting decision.
“I’ve always been obsessed with that Stephen Sprouse moment. It was such a huge inspiration for me when I was younger, seeing all of these graffiti bags. I remember seeing pictures of Marc Jacobs on the beach with his,” he recalls.
The bags will be followed by two additional drops—one of ceramics, and then rugs a month later.
“My mum is a ceramicist and I grew up with a kiln in my house. We were always making ceramics. I haven’t done it in a while, but she flew here to help me make the series.”
The W is located at 485 Brickell Ave, Miami. You can follow Patrick and his work, here.
All photos by Savanna Ruedy
Makeup by Agus Suga
Hair by Sergio Estrada