Fashion designer Gabriela Hearst and visual artist Adam Pendleton have collaborated on a limited edition of 25 Nina bags, reimagining Hearst's classic style with Pendleton's unique silkscreens. The bags are being sold this month at Sotheby's, with net sales proceeds going to preserve singer Nina Simone's childhood home, which Pendleton and other artists purchased in 2017. The collaboration coincides with Pendleton's exhibition "Love, Queen" at the Hirshhorn Museum in Washington, DC, running through January 2027.
The collaboration matters because it brings together two intentional makers who share a deep reverence for Nina Simone as a symbol of purposeful artistry and imperfect humanity. The project highlights the intersection of fashion and fine art for a philanthropic cause, while also sparking a conversation about maintaining quality and deeper purpose in creative work. It underscores how artists and designers can use their platforms to preserve cultural heritage and celebrate influential figures who continue to set standards for American artistry.