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Renowned Fiber Artist Kay Sekimachi Reimagines LOEWE Accessories in a New Collaboration
Shop totes and bucket bags from the limited-edition collection, licensed by Artists Rights Society
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Spanish fashion house LOEWE, led by creative director Jonathan Anderson, paid tribute to fiber artist and ARS member Kay Sekimachi with a special collection of handbags, licensed by Artists Rights Society.
For this limited-edition collection, Sekimachi reimagined LOEWE’s iconic Puzzle Fold tote, and created a new bucket bag silhouette in collaboration with their designers. These pieces showcase her pioneering work in loom weaving and draw inspiration from her linen series Takarabako. Crafted in cotton jacquard with a calfskin base and details, the bags feature a gold embossed motif with Sekimachi’s name.
Born in San Francisco, Kay Sekimachi studied at the California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland from 1946 to 1949. In 1949 she took up weaving on the loom and became so adept at the labor-intensive process that she is often referred to as a “weaver’s weaver.” Today, almost fifty years after she began to work in fiber, Sekimachi is recognized as a pioneer in resurrecting it as a medium of artistic expression.
Sekimachi uses the loom to construct three-dimensional sculptural forms. In the early 1970s she used nylon monofilament to create hanging quadruple tubular woven forms to explore ideas of space, transparency, and movement. Inspired by her ancestral homeland of Japan, Sekimachi repeatedly returns to that ancient culture for ideas.
Sekimachi eschews color in order to reinforce the sculptural qualities of her forms and emphasize the natural properties of her chosen materials. Enamored with antique Japanese paper, she has created a series of standing geometric postlike forms that suggest ancient totemic figures.
LOEWE, the Spanish luxury fashion house, has a rich tradition of supporting the arts, deeply rooted in its commitment to craftsmanship and creativity. This dedication is most prominently showcased through the annual LOEWE Foundation Craft Prize, which celebrates excellence in craftsmanship and honors artisans who push the boundaries of their craft. By promoting traditional techniques and contemporary innovation, LOEWE not only preserves artisanal heritage but also fosters a global dialogue on the importance of craftsmanship in modern design. The brand’s collaborations with artists and its investment in art exhibitions further demonstrate its unwavering support for the creative community, reinforcing LOEWE’s role as a patron of the arts and a champion of cultural heritage.
LOEWE has previously drawn inspiration from the work of Artists Rights Society members, licensing photographs by Karl Blossfeldt to grace the packaging of their fragrance collection.
© Karl Blossfeldt Archive / Ann and Jürgen Wilde / Cologne, Germany / Artists Rights Society (ARS), NY
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