Alex Israel is not just an artist, he’s a self-titled “brand”—a term that is amplified by his many collaborations with some of the biggest fashion labels, including Rimowa, Freeway Eyewear, and Vilebrequin. His latest venture is with Louis Vuitton, which imbues the Los Angeles native’s signature beachy aesthetic on a new textile collection that was unveiled at “Louis Vuitton X,” an exhibition at 468 North Rodeo Drive that showcases 160 years of the company’s artistic partnerships.
Comprised of eight styles, the capsule line takes inspiration from Israel’s “New Waves” and “Sky Backdrop” paintings, along with his “Desperado” sculpture, with the images cast on blankets, bandanas, shawls, and scarves. The results are signature Israel: a vivid color palette resembling a Los Angeles sunset on forms that evoke the city’s relaxed nature. The collection follows the artist’s design for the packaging of Louis Vuitton’s Les Colognes Perfumes, released earlier this year, and the brand’s ArtyCapucines bag, which enlisted five additional contemporary artists—Sam Falls, Jonas Wood, Urs Fischer, Tschabalala Self, and Nicholas Hlobo—to reimagine the carryall.
