ARTDESENT — Art, Design, Entertainment
Contributor

Margaux Lefèvre

Haute couture and fashion history

Margaux Lefèvre writes on haute couture and the long history of French fashion from Paris. Holds an EHESS doctorate on Vionnet's archive.

Tile Panel
Craft

Craftsmanship Renewed: Traditional Techniques in Modern Design

In an era of mass production, contemporary designers are reasserting the importance of craftsmanship, merging time-honoured skills with modern aesthetics to create objects that resonate on personal and cultural levels.

By Margaux Lefèvre
A collection of scattered photographs showing people, desert dunes, and jewelry on rattan
Fashion

Sustainable Fashion: Innovations in Eco-Friendly Design

From lab-grown leather to zero-waste patterning, fashion is rewriting its material history to prioritize sustainability and environmental responsibility.

By Margaux Lefèvre
Byrdcliffe Arts and Crafts Colony — Linen Press
Arts

Ryoji Ikeda Awarded 2026 Nam June Paik Prize: A Victory for Sound as Art

The 2026 Nam June Paik Prize recognizes Ryoji Ikeda's groundbreaking work, spotlighting sound art's ascent in contemporary artistic practice.

By Margaux Lefèvre
black leather crossbody bag
Fashion

Kelly Wearstler and H&M: A New Blueprint for Functional Fashion

Kelly Wearstler’s capsule collection with H&M redefines versatility, presenting a rare marriage of interior design sensibilities and sustainable fashion.

By Margaux Lefèvre
Byrdcliffe Arts and Crafts Colony — Linen Press
Arts

Art and Memory: Reflecting on Recent Losses in the Creative World

The deaths of artists Marijke De Roover and Sliman Mansour have sparked a global discussion on how their works will shape future artistic dialogues.

By Margaux Lefèvre
Hans Süss von Kulmbach — The Ascension of Christ
Arts

Seoul’s Ascension: Mapping Its Role in the Global Art Market

Seoul's art market, once underestimated in global trade, is now a focal point. This report examines its growth, catalyzed by local collectors, international fairs, and political shifts.

By Margaux Lefèvre
Thomas How — Pair of side chairs
Arts

Canvas and Crisis: How Artists Confront Climate Change

From biomorphic installations to ephemeral ice sculptures, contemporary artists are materialising climate urgency, merging art with activism in unprecedented ways.

By Margaux Lefèvre
women's red coat
Fashion

Reviving the Past: The Enduring Influence of Iconic Designers

Recent exhibitions and high-profile auctions reassert the relevance of designers like Louis Comfort Tiffany and Bill Blass, whose work continues to define aesthetics across art and fashion today.

By Margaux Lefèvre
man in black suit jacket and pants illustration
Fashion

Fashioning Identity: Design as Cultural Narrative

Fashion has evolved beyond ornamentation, emerging as a medium where cultural stories are told and identities are redefined, supported by sustainable practices and innovative design.

By Margaux Lefèvre
Auguste Renoir — Madame Georges Charpentier (Marguerite-Louise Lemonnier, 1848–1904) and Her Children, Georgette-Berthe (1872–1945) and Paul-Emile-Charles (1875–1895)
Arts

The Auction Room as Barometer: How Shifts in Demand Define Art Commerce

As generational wealth pivots and global collecting habits diversify, auction houses recalibrate their approach to the art market's evolving pulse.

By Margaux Lefèvre
Théodore Rousseau — The Forest in Winter at Sunset
Arts

Historical Narratives Revived: Argentine Art Collection Auction Highlights Van Gogh and Cézanne

A landmark auction places masterpieces by Van Gogh and Cézanne in the spotlight, reframing their relevance within contemporary dialogues about art preservation and cultural memory.

By Margaux Lefèvre
A group of women walking down a runway
Fashion

When Fashion Becomes Art: Film Costumes at Auction

Costume pieces from iconic films, including *The Devil Wears Prada 2*, are stepping from screen to auction block, redefining their place in art and fashion history.

By Margaux Lefèvre
group of women wearing dresses in a fashion show
Fashion

Fashion Films: Reframing Storytelling in the Industry

As fashion films evolve from marketing tools to narrative forms, their potential to convey identity and context reshapes industry norms.

By Margaux Lefèvre
group of women in blue and pink traditional dresses
Fashion

The Future of Fashion: Nostalgia Meets Innovation

Fashion designers are threading the past into the future, blending retro aesthetics with technical innovation and sustainability in their ateliers.

By Margaux Lefèvre
Pensive bodhisattva
Arts

Kiaf Seoul at 25: A Quarter-Century of Cultural Exchange

Kiaf Seoul marks its 25th anniversary with over 210 galleries, asserting its importance as both a hub for Korea’s contemporary art scene and a global meeting point for collectors and creators.

By Margaux Lefèvre
woman wearing pink fur
Fashion

Fashion's Playful Innovations: From Haute Couture to Everyday Design

Designers like Robert Wun and IKEA merge utility with whimsy, marking a shift towards practical, playful creativity across fashion and furniture.

By Margaux Lefèvre
aerial view of basketball court with players inside
Fashion

From Pitch to Runway: Sporting CP’s Rebranding and the Fusion of Sports and Fashion

Sporting CP’s new identity is more than a football club’s refresh; it’s a case study in how the aesthetics of sports branding are shaping contemporary fashion design and consumer identity.

By Margaux Lefèvre
Charles Jacque — Forge
Arts

Venezuelan Artists Forge Unity in Post-Earthquake Creations

In response to Venezuela's recent earthquakes, a coalition of artists transforms collective grief into acts of resilience, using their work to explore trauma, healing, and community ties.

By Margaux Lefèvre
two women laying down wearing white dress shirts
Fashion

The Future of Luxury: Redefining Value in a Changing Market

Luxury brands are navigating shifts in consumer values by prioritizing sustainability, authenticity, and bespoke experiences, reshaping traditional notions of exclusivity.

By Margaux Lefèvre
The Temple of Dendur
Craft

Decoding the Past: How Technology is Transforming Art Conservation

Hidden images in John Singer Sargent’s work and digital reconstructions of ancient artifacts highlight the evolving synergy between art and technology in conserving cultural heritage.

By Margaux Lefèvre
women's red coat
Fashion

Through the Lens of Schiaparelli: Fashion Photography as Art

Elsa Schiaparelli’s innovative use of photography transcended documentation, framing couture as visual art and influencing generations of imagemakers.

By Margaux Lefèvre
Mannequins display colorful leggings and athletic wear.
Fashion

Activewear's Unscripted Future: New Brands Reshape the Market

The evolution of consumer priorities has given rise to smaller activewear brands that challenge the dominance of Lululemon and its peers, demanding innovation across the industry.

By Margaux Lefèvre
A group of women walking down a runway
Fashion

Fashion’s Dual Renaissance: Sustainability and Cultural Identity

As the demand for ethical fashion rises, designers respond with collections rooted in heritage and sustainability, reshaping an industry long defined by excess.

By Margaux Lefèvre
Sir Edward Burne-Jones — The Love Song
Craft

Pieced Histories: Contemporary Quilting as a Cultural Canvas

Black artists are reshaping quilting, intertwining fabric, identity, and heritage into layered narratives that confront history and affirm community.

By Margaux Lefèvre
a person holding a wallet next to a laptop
Fashion

Fashion and Technology: The New Grammar of E-Commerce

From virtual fitting rooms to AI-driven personal shoppers, technology is reshaping how fashion houses connect with their customers in an increasingly digital retail landscape.

By Margaux Lefèvre
A male athlete hurdles during a track and field race.
Fashion

Bianca Saunders Wins BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund, Solidifying Her Place in Contemporary Fashion

The British designer’s accolade celebrates her unique vision and reinforces the imperative of fostering diversity within the fashion industry.

By Margaux Lefèvre
Man walks past a brightly lit onitsuka tiger store
Fashion

Onitsuka Tiger’s Lifestyle Pivot: Fashion Branding in Transition

The Japanese heritage brand enters high-end lifestyle territory, challenging consumer expectations and retail norms in the process.

By Margaux Lefèvre
blue and white cloud cartoon character
Fashion

Snap’s AR Glasses: A Digital Lens on the Future of Fashion

Blurring the lines between wearable tech and couture, Snap's AR glasses redefine design for function and form.

By Margaux Lefèvre
a close up of a person wearing rings and a necklace
Fashion

The Impact of Technology on Modern Jewelry: DNA Tracing and Blockchain

In the luxury jewelry sector, DNA tracing and blockchain technology promise unprecedented transparency, offering potential solutions to ethical sourcing challenges.

By Margaux Lefèvre
3 men in black and red suit standing
Fashion

Cultural Identity in Contemporary Fashion: Heritage as a Design Imperative

A new generation of designers is redefining fashion as a medium for cultural storytelling, challenging conventions and diversifying global aesthetics.

By Margaux Lefèvre