Belma Gaudio, founder of the London fashion, homeware, and wellness boutique Koibird, opens her art-filled London home to CULTURED magazine, offering a rare glimpse into her eclectic collection. The article, presented as a collector questionnaire, features works by René Magritte, Lucio Fontana, Christina Quarles, and others, photographed by Mary McCartney. Gaudio discusses her childhood as a refugee from Bosnia and Herzegovina, her instinct for collecting objects from Barbies to snakeskins, and how her global upbringing shaped her eye for mixing eras and styles—from traditional Italian to contemporary.
This profile matters because it illuminates the intersection of commerce and collecting through the lens of a boutique founder who actively engages with the art market. Gaudio’s reflections on the volatility of the art world—why certain artists become “hot commodities” and how speculation can destabilize the system—offer a candid, insider perspective on market dynamics. As London prepares for Frieze week, the piece also highlights the city’s unique art scene, balancing historic institutions like the National Gallery with East London’s emerging galleries.