Art Exhibits At Retail Stores: Fashion Boutiques As Galleries

When Louis Vuitton's 20,000-square-foot flagship opened on New Bond Street in London this spring, the coveted fashions and handbags weren't the only things on display.

The mega-store, designed by New York architect Peter Marino, also houses works by prolific artists Takashi Murakami and Richard Prince, who have collaborated with the luxury brand on fashion products in the past.

And Vuitton isn't the only one. Chanel's Rodeo Drive boutique features commissioned works from top contemporary artists, who used the French atelier's iconography (think camellias, pearls and the No. 5 perfume bottle) to create new eye-catching exhibitions. Upstairs, the boutique showcases work from Alec Soth, Y.Z. Kami and Andy Warhol. Paul Smith's Melrose shop recently featured an exhibition of Lillian Bassman's renowned black and white photos. This fall, the new A|X Armani Exchange concept store on Robertson Boulevard will showcase exhibits from local photographers, mixed-media artists and street artists.

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