Korean-American painter and sculptor Lisha Bai unveiled a new window installation at Hermès Maison Madison in New York, created to coincide with New York Fashion Week. The installation features polychrome fabrics molded into geometric forms, drawing inspiration from the Korean patchwork tradition of bojagi and the quilts of Gee’s Bend, reflecting Bai’s experience growing up as a Korean-American in Alabama. A conversation between Bai and Cooper Hewitt curator Alexandra Cunningham Cameron explored how Bai translates textile techniques and light into immersive art. The event was attended by Hermès Americas President and CEO Diane Mahady and VP Diane Kruger, among other guests.
This collaboration matters because it highlights the growing intersection between luxury fashion houses and contemporary visual art, using storefront windows as a public-facing platform for artistic expression. Bai’s work brings attention to underrepresented textile traditions and the Korean-American experience, while Hermès continues its tradition of commissioning artists for its Madison Avenue boutique, previously featuring artists like Mia Pearlman and Olaf Breuning. The event also underscores how fashion weeks increasingly serve as occasions for art-world activations, blending retail, culture, and community engagement.