Cabinet of Curiosities by Marc Newson for Louis Vuitton. Image courtesy of Louis Vuitton…
The Design Dispatch offers expertly written and essential news from the design world crafted by our dedicated team. Think of it as your cheat sheet for the day in design delivered to your inbox before you’ve had your coffee. Subscribe now.
Have a news story our readers need to see? Submit it here
Marc Newson Reimagines the Louis Vuitton Trunk
“Quality, execution, particular savoir-faire without any compromise,” Marc Newson says about the Louis Vuitton trunk, a stackable monogrammed canvas carrying case that birthed the idea of functional luggage when the French maison introduced it in 1858, predating the notion of traveling for pleasure. After years of designing suitcases for Louis Vuitton, Newson has now reimagined the label’s signature trunk as the Cabinet of Curiosities—a limited-edition display case outfitted with leather-wrapped cubes of varying sizes to display personal collections.
“It’s a really simple idea. An extremely utilitarian object, an iconic object,” he says, “and give the user the opportunity to do whatever they want with it.” Each made-to-order curio can be configured in more than 1,000 ways and is intended to show off collections of personal keepsakes—or perhaps simply be used as a bookshelf, Newson explains. “They could [contain] anything symbolic to you as a collector, or even if you’re not a collector.” —Ryan Waddoups
Palm Court and Pei Dormitories at Nei College of Florida. Photography by Chip Litherland, courtesy of New College Foundation…
Sarasota stands out architecturally as the birthplace of a distinctive climate-responsive post-war residential style, notably linked to Paul Rudolph, alongside the Sarasota School of Architecture. I.M. Pei also left his mark on this Florida Gulf Coast region during the same era. His influential work included designing the Pei Dorms, student housing at New College of Florida, in 1965. Known for their Brutalist style, the dorms now face deterioration, prompting a partnership between Architecture Sarasota and New College for the “Reimagine Pei” competition, inviting architects to revitalize these aging structures as part of a broader campus transformation initiative. The focus is on innovative reuse rather than traditional restoration, aligning with Architecture Sarasota’s vision of adapting spaces to changing needs and values.
Tiina the Store, the boutique owned by Tiina Laakkonen in Amagansett, is known for its minimalist and high-end fashion choices. The store, featuring brands like Toogood, Arts & Science, and Dosa, will be closing in September after more than a decade of operation and marking down merchandise by up to 50 percent. The closure marks the end of an era for this carefully curated fashion destination, but Laakkonen may be readying her next move.
The Clinton Presidential Center Expansion in Little Rock. Image courtesy of Clinton Foundation…
Studio Gang will design an expansion of the Clinton Presidential Center in Little Rock.
The Clinton Foundation has revealed plans to expand the Clinton Presidential Center in Little Rock. Designed by Studio Gang, the expansion aims to advance the Center’s mission of educating people about President Clinton’s values and will include new programs and an institute to house Hillary Rodham Clinton’s archives and advocacy work. Studio Gang, known for its deft hybrid of engineering and ecology, will lead the project following its recent transformation of the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts.
Tapestry, the fashion conglomerate that owns Coach and Kate Spade, is set to acquire Capri Holdings in an $8.5 billion deal, forming an American fashion force in the luxury market. The merger brings together six fashion brands: Coach, Kate Spade, and Stuart Weitzman under Tapestry, and Versace, Jimmy Choo, and Michael Kors under Capri. This move aims to expand their global reach, cater to a broader customer base, and navigate changing market dynamics. The acquisition has been unanimously approved by both boards and is projected to conclude in 2024, funded through bridge financing from Bank of America and Morgan Stanley.
Wildfires have swept through the Hawaiian island of Maui, destroying buildings and prompting evacuations. Maui County reported 36 fatalities due to the fires, which are particularly severe in the historic town of Lahaina. More than 271 structures, including museums, heritage sites, and cultural landmarks have been impacted. The Lahaina Restoration Foundation, responsible for historic structures, has lost sites like the Baldwin Home Museum and the Wo Hing Museum. The fires have taken a toll on the town’s rich cultural history, with efforts to assess the damage hampered by ongoing fires and limited communication.
