In collaboration with Dior’s 8th edition of Dior Lady Art, Cameroonian artist Ludovic Nkoth presents a captivating reinterpretation of the iconic Lady Dior handbag.
Breaking from convention, Nkoth adds fluid artistry to the Cannage design with curved lines, contrasting backgrounds, and bead-trimmed seams.
Richly described by Dior as a ‘timeless icon with an extraordinary destiny’, the Lady Dior handbag is, to many, the ‘quintessence of Dior style.’ Falling at the center of Dior’s latest project, Lady Art 8th Edition invites several artists each season to play the metamorphosis game, transforming an object of desire into a veritable work of art. It is art you can wear.
Through artistic interpretation and an ever-evolving conversation of house codes, the artists share a common goal in their design: ‘to sublimate the heritage and fundamentals of this fascinating symbol, in the light of their singular universe.’ Ludovic Nkoth is one of the selected artists in the Lady Dior Handbag collaboration.
The bags themselves become canvases, embellished with intricate jewelry-like details, such as Cameroonian-inspired ornamental golden mask charms and seashells. Opening these exquisite creations reveals an intimate gallery within, showcasing small-scale paintings from Nkoth’s series, delivering a singular statement of fine artistry.
Simultaneously, Ludovic Nkoth’s fluid artistry reimagines the iconic bag, infusing a jewelled essence into the classic Cannage design, incorporating Cameroonian-inspired gold-plated cowrie shells.
Nkoth holds a BFA from the University of South Carolina and an MFA from Hunter College NYC. His portraits are heavily impastoed and serve as gateways, inviting viewers to a world of vibrant colors and tactile textures. These paintings showcase a deep connection to his roots and his mastery of the craft.
Ludovic Nkoth was born in 1994 and moved continents at the age of 13 to establish his life and artistic practice in New York. Nkoth’s art goes beyond the canvas, capturing the essence of the black experience with an emotional depth that is unparalleled. Each portrait, thickly impastoed, serves as a gateway into a world filled with colour and texture. Employing a masterful use of distinct pink, red, yellow, blue, and brown regions, coupled with fluid squiggles, Nkoth transforms a single face into a complex map. With every brush stroke, he unveils both the beauty and struggles that are often concealed behind a stoic facade.
Employing a masterful use of distinct pink, red, yellow, blue, and brown regions, coupled with fluid squiggles, Nkoth transforms a single face into a complex map. With every stroke of the brush, he unveils both the beauty and struggles often concealed behind a stoic facade.
As a Cameroon-born artist currently residing in New York, Nkoth’s work is imbued with a unique perspective, infused with his personal experiences as a black immigrant in a foreign land. His artistic practice seamlessly fuses art and introspection, with each piece reflecting his contemplations on family history, tradition, and the enduring legacy of colonialism impacting Black lives today.
In the hands of Ludovic Nkoth, the canvas transcends its physicality, becoming a potent platform for social commentary and an unwavering exploration of the multifaceted challenges faced by black individuals.
In essence, Nkoth’s artistry not only transforms a fashion accessory but also weaves a narrative that transcends cultural boundaries, inviting observers to appreciate the convergence of heritage, creativity, and individual expression in the realm of high fashion
