Celebrating The Birkin, and What is Happening in the Art Market?

HUR Reads is our definitive shortlist of the most prominent articles from around the web.

By HURS Team

1

The Blossoming of Conie Vallese

Artist Conie Vallese draws inspiration from her memories of horticulture, more specifically, her grandmother’s rose garden. Her work, spanning ceramics, textiles, and bronze, reflects nature's nostalgic beauty. Vallese's recent bronze collections, crafted during a Milan residency, draws on her art and how she appreciates slow, tactile creation, with chairs and sculptures embodying durability as well as historical significance. .Vallese balances this with a modeling career, exploring both urban and rural life with her upcoming exhibitions including a solo show in Menorca, featuring her intricate tapestries and ceramics.

HOW TO SPEND IT

2

The Art Market Is Tanking. Sotheby’s Has Even Bigger Problems

Sotheby’s is facing struggles amid a general downturn in the art market, exacerbated by economic challenges, global conflicts, and rising interest rates. Its owner, Patrick Drahi, is also grappling with issues from his telecom empire, as well as managing relationships with staff and vendors, while its auction sales and cash flow have declined as a result.

THE WALL STREET JOURNAL

3

As the Hermès Birkin Bag Turns 40, a Look Back at How It Became the World’s Most Famous Handbag

One of most iconic accessories celebrates its 40th anniversary, the Hermès Birkin bag. Clair Watson explores the bag's origins, dating back to a chance encounter between actress Jane Birkin and Hermès CEO Jean-Louis Dumas in 1984. The Birkin bag's timeless design, craftsmanship, and exclusivity have all contributed to its enduring status as a symbol of luxury.

INTROSPECTIVE

4

The Most Famous Cafe in Paris Preps for a New Generation

Les Deux Magots, a historic café in Paris known for hosting literary and artistic figures like Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, and Ernest Hemingway, still holds its weight as a local Parisian destination. Despite changes in ownership and evolving Parisian café culture, Les Deux Magots remains a symbol of intellectual and cultural life, adapting to modern times while still honoring its storied past, maintaining its place as a local go-to.

THE NEW YORK TIMES

5

The Users Who Overtook The Machine

Emilia Petrarca speaks on the revolution of fashion's relationship with the internet, focusing on how online platforms have democratized fashion commentary and shaped trends. Early influencers like Tavi Gevinson and Laia Garcia, whose blogs bridged the gap between fashion insiders and everyday enthusiasts as a perfect example of how the internet has allowed diverse voices and niche aesthetics to thrive, challenging the exclusivity of traditional fashion media and enabling a global dialogue on style, taste, and identity in the digital age.

SSENSE