We tap into the most promising neighbourhoods in the world’s greatest cities to determine areas for potential growth and investment. The ability to be ahead of the curve and identify future property hotspots is a coveted one by investors and second home buyers alike. In an otherwise uncertain investment world, real estate continues to attract capital—a strong demonstration of its stability over other asset classes. More often than not, this asset has rewarded brave investors...
With comment from Andrew Shirley, author of the Knight Frank Luxury Investment Index, Arts & Collections investigates the top-performing assets of 2017 and offers predictions for 2018 and beyond. The U.K. luxury industry is worth £32.2 billion to the British economy. But, with socioeconomic uncertainty on the horizon, will this sector continue to flourish? We delve into the intricacies of luxury investment and evaluate how each asset is currently faring. Top-performing luxury investment assets Art...
Fashion and interior design have always gone hand in hand. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that some of the world’s most illustrious fashion designers have traded the runway for the hotel industry. We explore the crème de la crème of fashion designer hotels. Armani Hotel, Dubai—Giorgio Armani As the winner of the 2016 World Luxury Hotel Awards, the Armani Hotel in Dubai sets the bar high in terms of elegance. Located within the iconic...
In an exclusive interview with Arts & Collections, photographer of the stars Steve Parke shares his experience working alongside legendary rock icon, Prince. Steve Parke’s acclaimed photobook, Picturing Prince: An Intimate Portrait (2017), provides an honest glimpse into the life and individuality of one of the most revered rock stars ever known. The publication coincided with an exhibition of the same name that was held at Proud Galleries in London at the end of last...
Rena DeSisto at the Bank of America and the Smithsonian Institution’s Dr Richard Kurin share their perspectives on the Cultural Rescue Initiative and its objectives to preserve art’s identity, heritage and history. Earlier this year, Bank of America gifted $1 million to the Smithsonian Cultural Rescue Initiative (SCRI)—the programme’s largest corporate donation to date. The SCRI’s mission is simple: to recover and protect cultural heritage under threat. Coordinating this mammoth operation, however, is far from...
Sotheby’s will auction an extremely rare Imperial porcelain vase as part of their sale of Asian art in Paris this June. Sotheby’s recently revealed the rediscovery of an extraordinary porcelain vase; an 18th century piece from Imperial China. The artefact was found in an attic in France and was consequently carried in a shoebox to the auction house in Paris in order for experts to survey it. Henry Howard-Sneyd, Sotheby’s Chairman of Asian Art in...
Art has taken a giant leap into the modern era this year, illustrated by Atelier des Lumières’ unveiling of an immersive Gustav Klimt exhibition. The digital gallery—which translates to ‘studio of lights’—in Paris is transforming the way we consume art by allowing visitors to walk in and amongst the work of the world’s most prolific painters. Projection-based compositions create a whole new dimension of wonder for attendees to explore. The exhibition manipulates light and perspectives;...
Oceania, the Royal Academy of Art’s fascinating new exhibition, is set to enthrall and entrance—showing from 29 September until 10 December 2018. Marking 250 years since Cook’s momentous voyage, the London gallery will explore the diversity of art from the South Pacific. Coincidentally, the Royal Academy was founded in the same year: 1768. This period, better known as the Age of Enlightenment, saw Cook explore the unknown southern continent and meet a vast network of...
As part of their Contemporary Art Evening Auction on 16 May, Sotheby’s New York will offer David Hockney’s Pacific Coast Highway and Santa Monica (1990). Critics believe that this late addition to the sale will fetch a record-breaking price, with estimates reaching £22 million ($30 million). The large-scale painting is a landscape that was inspired by Hockney’s daily drive to his studio in Los Angeles. The scene of rolling hills and mountainous slopes were supposedly painted...
Her artwork is avidly collected by Madonna, she appeared on a bracelet worn by Theresa May and her iconic style has influenced the aesthetic of Gucci’s autumn/winter 2017 collection. Even today, her face remains a symbol of hope, resilience and empowerment. Magdalena Carmen Frida Kahlo y Calderón—commonly known as Frida Kahlo—was born 6 July 1907 in Mexico. Her artwork is often praised for its progressive outlook and stirring visual concepts. Kahlo’s influence on art, fashion...
