The Dandelion Chandelier Calendar for Luxury Fashion and Design highlights our top picks for the best luxury fashion and design events this May 2019. These are the art auctions, antique shows, art fairs, design shows, and fashion and beauty events that you need to know about. For the rest of the Luxury Calendar, click here.
This May in the world of fashion and design
The fashion world’s version of the Oscars, aka the Met Gala, has as its theme this year the idea of Camp. The event coincides with the Costume Institute’s spring exhibition, Camp: Notes on Fashion which will explore the origins of this exuberant aesthetic.
If art and design are more your speed, you can head to Frieze New York to explore modern art on Randall’s Island. Or to Copenhagen to experience 3 Days of Design with Denmark’s top design brands.
Lastly, the bellwether spring auctions in New York have some stunning offerings this year, including a chance to own Jeff Koons’ iconic Rabbit. The piece could fetch between $50-$70 million when offered for sale in the Christie’s Post-War and Contemporary Art Evening Sale.
What are the best luxury fashion and design events this May?
1. luxury fashion and beauty
The theme of this year’s Met Gala is Camp. The event will be co-hosted by two campy fashion aficionados: Lady Gaga and Harry Styles. It’s sponsored by Gucci – May 6
Through more than 250 objects dating from the seventeenth century to the present, the Met Costume Institute’s spring 2019 exhibition, Camp: Notes on Fashion, explores the origins of this exuberant aesthetic. Susan Sontag’s 1964 essay “Notes on ‘Camp'” provides the framework for the exhibition. It’s an exploration of how the elements of irony, humor, parody, pastiche, artifice, theatricality and exaggeration have been expressed in fashion – May 9 – Sep 8
Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia is the country’s premier fashion event; it showcases the resort collections of Australia’s leading designer brands – May 12 – 17
2019 marks 10 years of the Copenhagen Fashion Summit, one of the world’s most important events addressing sustainability in fashion. This year’s speakers include the Crown Princess of Denmark, François-Henri Pinault and Emanuel Chirico – May 15 – 16
Celebrating its 15th year, the 2019 Financial Times Business of Luxury Summit will be held for the first time in Madrid – May 19 – 21
The Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art “Note on Camp”
2. art shows and art fairs
Taking place at the Park Avenue Armory, TEFAF New York Spring focuses on modern and contemporary art and design – May 3 – 7
Frieze New York returns to Randall’s Island. The annual show offers an exceptional quality and range of art, featuring emerging talent and iconic names in modern and contemporary art – May 2- 5
Returning to Pier 94 is Art New York, offering noteworthy and new works of contemporary, modern, post-war and pop art. Mediums include paintings, photography, prints, drawings, design and sculpture – May 2 – 5
1-54 returns for its fifth edition at Industria in the West Village. The contemporary African-American art fair will welcome 24 galleries from over 15 countries. They’ll collectively exhibit the work of more than 70 artists – May 3 – 5
Lisbon’s ARCO Lisboa features work from 40 international galleries with a focus on contemporary art – May 16 – 19
Frieze New York Art Fair
3. art auctions and antique shows
Christie’s will host its third and final Ms. Thatcher auction. The series coincides with the 40th anniversary of Margaret Thatcher’s historic election as Prime Minister of the UK. The sale comprises 192 lots, including political mementos and her personal possessions. There’ll be jewelry, clothing, handbags, books and furniture on offer – May 2 – 8
Chicago’s Wright auction house will host its annual Scandinavian Design sale- May 9
Jeff Koons iconic Rabbit will be offered for sale at the Christie’s Post-War and Contemporary Art Evening Sale – May 6
Items from the eclectic collection of the prestigious Schickler-Pourtalès dynasty are up for auction. Sotheby’s Paris hosts Collection Schickler-Pourtalès: Art and Power in the XIXth Century – May 16
Over 55 top Mid-Century dealers head to Midcentury East at Haggerston School. A range of furniture, ceramics, glass, Danish silver jewelry, lighting, fabrics, and rare Berber rugs will be for sale – May 19
Jeff Koons’ Rabbit
4. design shows and conferences
Los Angeles’ La Cienega Design Quarter plays host to dozens of events, discussions and launches during its annual three-day event LCDQ Legends – May 7 – 9
The 11th edition of Designmonat Graz will transform the Austrian city of Graz into a destination for design with over 100 events. This year’s theme: Women & Design – May 11 – Jun 9
NYCxDESIGN takes place across the city’s five boroughs and showcases over a dozen design discipline. There’ll be a mix of installations, trade shows, panels, product launches and open studios – May 10 – 22
One of the most important fairs taking place during NYCxDesign is ICFF. The event convenes 36,000 designers, architects, retailers and other design world insiders at the Javits Center – May 19 – 22
3 Days of Design is Denmark’s premier design event. Throughout Copenhagen, over 90 brands will host exhibitions, launches and events – May 23 – 25
ICFF
That’s it. Our top picks for the best luxury fashion and design events this May 2019. Have a brilliant month.
see luxury in a new light
Come and join our community! For a weekly round-up of insider ideas and information on the world of luxury, sign up for our Dandelion Chandelier Sunday Read here. And see luxury in a new light.
ready to power up?
For a weekly dose of career insights and ideas, sign up for our Sunday newsletter, Power Up, here.
see other May 2019 events:
Join our community
For access to insider ideas and information on the world of luxury, sign up for our Dandelion Chandelier newsletter. And see luxury in a new light.