Dries Van Noten: BOND

Alexander May Studio was invited by Dries Van Noten to curate BOND, a two-month exhibition at the brand's Los Angeles arts space, and to redesign the adjacent retail store. Drawing from the Japanese art of Ikebana, the project examined spatial harmony, negative space, and the emotional resonance of placement.

For the exhibition, the studio curated objects and works from diverse collaborators, arranging them in layered compositions that reflected Ikebana's principles of balance, tension, and restraint. In parallel, the retail store was reimagined to mirror the exhibition's sensibility, enabling visitors to move seamlessly between commerce and display within a unified visual and conceptual environment.

Beyond curation and spatial design, the studio oversaw all print and digital collateral, ensuring a cohesive narrative across every touchpoint. The project concluded with a weeklong celebration produced in collaboration with Yola Mezcal and Aplós, bringing together creative communities across fashion, design, and art.

Location

Los Angeles

Year

2023

Role

Creative Direction, Spatial Storytelling, Curation