The Cabinet de Curiosités Party

Caroline Burstein and Kristina Blahnik Thomas Erber and wife Elina Kechicheva Caroline Issa Mrs. B and Rosita Missoni Judy Blame and friend Ozwald Boateng and friend Roksanda Ilincic Susie Bubble Mrs. B and Phillip Green Lulu Guinness and Thomas Erber Loree Rodkin, Mrs. B, Elizabeth Saltzman and Martyn Lawrence Bullard Andy Wong and Olivia Innocnti

Curiosity killed the cat but kept many people entertained last night at Browns for the launch of Le Cabinet de Curiosities de Thomas Erber. The renowned art director and fashion consultant revisited the 19th century notion of a room of curiosities, bringing together 30 artist and designers to fill his cabinet with the most unique objects d’art ever commissioned. Erber's reinterpretation is extremely modern, all items focus on the topics of music, travel and eroticism; and each artist shares a special history with Browns.

This is not a mere collection of items created for a commercial purpose but a transposition of personalities translated into a collection of objects that has craftsmanship, expertise and technique as its fil rouge. Wandering through the South Molton Street store and discovering these one-off creations by the like of Manolo Blahnik, Alexandre de Betak, Girard-Perregaux, Loree Rodkin, Pierre Hardy and Rodarte, just to name a few, was a real journey that re-addressed the concept of luxury. The collection also includes Kata Lagrady’s irreverent AK KALASHNIKOW from her celebrated series “GUNS & CANDIES”, a rare opportunity in itself to admire her work in London. Serialization is today's rule in order to increase margins and profit, the word LUXURY has been emptied of its true meaning. Browns and Thomas Erber, sharing the same vision on rarity and beauty, refueled the ideal of exclusivity.

The exhibition is on till the 23rd December and 10% of the proceeds go to Charities concerned with conservation & community in Namibia.

Text by Fabio Ciquera