Does art imitate life? Does life imitate art? Maison Joseph Duclos’ latest collaboration with Neo-Conceptual artist Peter Halley offers an answer to this age-old question, leaning mostly towards the latter. Inspired by Halley’s work Rectangular Prison with Smokestack, the maison is reimagining its emblematic Diana handbag using the artist's formal language. Artistic Director Ramesh Nair opens up, for a second time, a pathway for contemporary artistic expression to meld with traditional French craftsmanship. The result? A highly innovative, wearable piece which imitates an 80s masterpiece. 

The Maison breaks down Halley’s geometric composition, translating it through the artisanal technique of leather marquetry. The bag is composed of layered French leather, in Halley’s black and orange colorway. This dialog between painted and wearable art is further emphasized through the bag’s deep black metallic finish, achieved with a treatment process typically used for fine jewelry. The Diana glistens as if it were a precious gem. The technique allows its texture to stand out, similar to Halley’s style of painting. His artwork is precise–made of rectangular cells which render beautifully in leather their form. The bag is structured, reminiscent of his compositions. The underside of the handle, top of the bag, as well as a stripe down the middle, glow a bright orange.

Halley’s work functions as a distilled abstract code that, like his neo-conceptualist counterparts, encourages replication. Joseph Duclos translates this timeless modernity into a meticulously made, visually stunning vessel.