Art Meets Fashion

Just when you don’t think you can’t visit one more pop-up store, along comes one that is not only inspired, but relevant, too. House of Voltaire, in the heart of Mayfair, is a temporary store that was opened by the South London contemporary arts space Studio Voltaire to finance its artist program and education work.

The store was designed by 6a Architects, a London practice founded by Tom Emerson and Stephanie Macdonald in 2001. Simple materials are used to good effect, and traditional colors are offset by 6a’s own lighting, which is produced by the London ironmongers izé. The collaboration with Studio Voltaire cements Emerson and Macdonald’s position as London art scene favorites; their other recent commissions include Alex Sainsbury’s Raven Row art center and the extension of the South London Gallery. (I recommend visiting the gallery this week, before Tatiana Trouvé’s solo exhibition closes.)

House of Voltaire sells a diverse selection of artists’ works, limited editions and original pieces to suit most budgets. In addition to prints by a range of contemporary artists (I am coveting Anne Collier’s “My Goals for the Next Six Months”), products for the home range from Bette Davis- and Joan Crawford-inspired dog bowls by Donald Urquhart to fabulously over-the-top tissue box covers by Julie Verhoeven and pop bird houses by Joanne Tatham and Tom O’Sullivan. Fashion finds include a dip-dyed bag by Matthew Derbyshire and Grace Spooner, and a T-shirt by Linder and the fashion designer Richard Nicoll (his first venture into menswear). Cary Kwok’s cheeky, festive greeting cards bring a whole new meaning to the song “White Christmas” – perhaps not one to be sent to Mom.

House of Voltaire is situated above Rupert Sanderson’s boutique on Bruton Street. A roll call of London’s art scenesters have signed on to work there and bring buzz to the store, from the curator-about-town Sarah McCrory to the fashion editor Charlie Porter. Pop in on Saturday to see “The History Boys” actor and art fan Russell Tovey wearing the staff overalls. If you can’t make it in person, a selection of special works and editions are available to buy online and can be delivered internationally.

The art, design and fashion worlds have also come together for the start of the Acne White/Art T-shirt project. The fashion and furniture brand Acne is commissioning four artists to re-interpret the classic white T-shirt, starting with the London artist Steffan Brüggeman. The T-shirts will be stocked at Acne stores, including the Dover Street flagship, as well as at the New Museum and the Yvon Lambert Gallery in New York.