LACMA workers have voted to unionize, with the approval of the National Labor Relations Board.
Workers at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art voted overwhelmingly to unionize under AFSCME Cultural Workers United District Council 36, with 96 percent approving the measure in an election overseen by the National Labor Relations Board. The new union, LACMA United, represents roughly 300 employees across departments including curatorial, education, administration, and art handling, after museum leadership declined voluntary recognition earlier this fall. Organizers cited goals that include improved pay, stronger benefits, and clearer institutional processes. The vote comes months ahead of the planned opening of LACMA’s $720 million David Geffen Galleries, a major expansion now unfolding alongside labor negotiations.
The Paris Judicial Court has intervened in the French government’s attempt to block Shein.
The Paris Judicial Court has rejected the French government’s request to temporarily block Shein, ruling that the measure would have gone too far after the platform removed the disputed listings. Authorities had cited the sale of prohibited items, but the court characterized those cases as limited and noted Shein’s swift response. The ruling does, however, require the company to implement stricter safeguards before relisting certain sexual products. The case unfolds amid heightened scrutiny of Shein in France, following its recent physical retail presence and ongoing investigations into marketplace practices across several global platforms.
Christie’s is preparing to auction the portrait of George Washington adapted for the $1 bill.
Christie’s plans to offer a Gilbert Stuart portrait of George Washington during its January Americana Week auctions, presenting the painting that later informed the design of the $1 bill. Commissioned by James Madison in the early 19th century, the work belongs to Stuart’s widely repeated “Athenaeum” format, developed in part to spare Washington lengthy sittings. Christie’s has confirmed the painting’s provenance through period correspondence and set an estimate of $500,000 to $1 million ahead of the January 23, 2026 sale. The portrait stands as a central lot in the house’s broader “We the People: America at 250” series.
Alessandro Michele’s Valentino will forgo Paris Fashion Week to show in Rome.
Valentino will step outside the Paris Fashion Week calendar to present its next collection in Rome, marking a shift under creative director Alessandro Michele. The fall 2026 show will take place on March 12 at an undisclosed Roman location, a decision the house frames as a return to its founding city and a personal reference point for Michele. Valentino plans to resume showing in Paris with the following collection.
Louvre director Laurence des Cars is increasingly facing pressure to resign.
Pressure on Louvre director Laurence des Cars has intensified after senators accused museum leadership of ignoring repeated security warnings before the October theft of imperial jewels valued at more than $100 million. Lawmakers described opaque decision-making and poor internal communication, questioning why earlier audits flagging vulnerabilities never led to timely action. Although des Cars outlined new security measures and a broader overhaul plan, unions, conservative politicians, and some staff continue to call for her resignation. The Culture Ministry’s decision to appoint an external administrator to reorganize the museum has further fueled speculation about her future.
Today’s attractive distractions:
Leave it to Wes Anderson to replicate Joseph Cornell’s studio—in Paris.
Gen Z doesn’t drink? Tell that to these five rising sommeliers.
Once a coming-of-age signifier, the studio apartment is getting a luxe rebrand.
A new Musée d’Orsay exhibition looks at the influence of John Singer Sargent’s Paris years.
