The Italian luxury brand's first art initiative urges you to touch and experience the noblest of wools dubbed The Gift of Kings

Overtly displayed alongside the blue chip works at Art Basel Hong Kong are signs that read, “Do Not Touch”. We’re all conditioned to appreciate art from a distance, and use our sense of sight to assess whether a piece is good or not. At Loro Piana’s first foray into the art world this week—an event exclusively covered by Singapore Tatler in Southeast Asia— the brand known for its top-notch textiles and timeless designs broke the rules by encouraging people to touch everything in their creative installation, The Gift of Kings

Tatler Asia
Above Woolen Waves (Image courtesy of Loro Piana)
Tatler Asia
Above Woolen Waterfall (Image courtesy of Loro Piana)

“To know our product, you have to touch it,” says Fabio d’Angelantonio, CEO of Loro Piana, “which is why we decided to create a tactile exhibition.” Located in Hong Kong's newest arts venue H Queen's, the immersive installation appears like a cloud of serenity above the city. Guests can enter the hive-like soft structure from any point to discover the journey of how The Gift of Kings—a name referring to the rarest type of Merino wool—is sourced and processed. Encircling the central area are swings that face onto Hong Kong's impressive cityscape, inspiring guests to linger in this urban oasis.

 (Related: Navigating The Best Of Art Basel Hong Kong

'gallery right' 'gallery right'
'gallery right' 'gallery right'
Photo 1 of 6 Rising above Hong Kong, the ethereal installation also affords a killer view of the city
Photo 2 of 6 The power of touch is emphasised throughout the exhibition
Photo 3 of 6 Guests are able to choose a swatch with a slogan to take home
Photo 4 of 6 Softer than cashmere, The Gift of Kings is a treasure to behold
Photo 5 of 6 The finest Merino wool is five times finer than human hair
Photo 6 of 6 Loro Piana sources the natural fibre from Australia and New Zealand

The Gift of Kings was named so because it was once the preserve of royalty. Measuring only 12 microns in diameter, it’s five times finer than human hair, softer than cashmere, and as light as Vicuña. Loro Piana, which prides itself with its  exclusive access to the best natural fibres, invested 30 years cultivating relationships with farmers in Australia and New Zealand to ensure a high-quality supply of this rare wool. What the project successfully highlights is the power of touch, as well as the artistry that goes behind the creation of their prized raw materials.

The Gift of Kings, a sensorial exhibition presented during Art Basel Hong Kong, is located on 18/F H Queen’s, 80 Queen’s Road Central and is open the public on 30 and 31 March. 

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