Artist Collaborations
BENE has had the opportunity to partner with + incorporate several female artists since the brand's founding. Their talent is tucked away into the seams of each bag, and their flare for the New Orleans culture
shines through.
Artemis Antipass
Artemis Antippas was born and raised in the French Quarter of New Orleans. From a very early age, she became consumed with the wildness that was her city.
Artemis' studio practice revolves around her intimate connection to New Orleans and her various obsessions - obsession with color, glitter, with fried chicken, with her Yiayia, with soccer, dollar store foods, her cat, with New Orleanians' unrelenting tendencies of fĂªte and food, with multiples, and old lady things, with party decorations, apparel & accessories, carpeting, Mardi Gras, with cotton candy, shopping, and fur.
For Artemis, the adventure and experimentation of creating the work are equally as exciting as the finished work itself. Artemis has exhibited her work in museums and galleries nationwide.
artemisantippas.com
Alexa Pulitzer
When we consider artistic exports from New Orleans, most often we think of music and cuisine, but there are artists of all kinds inspired by the Old-World
sophistication, saucy flavor, and cool attitude for which the Big Easy is known. In the case of Alexa Pulitzer, her native culture mixes with her design education and work experience in Italy. Steadily gaining attention throughout the world, Alexa is highly sought out for her illustrations, whimsical stationery, bespoke invitations, home goods, logos, and private label collections. Today, Alexa has grown to be one of New Orleans' proudest exports for more than 25 years and serves as Goodwill Ambassador to the city she loves.
alexapulitzer.com
Gretchen Howard
Gretchen Howard's original artwork has been featured on the inside liner pattern for each BENE handbag as well as the silk scarf collection. Ms. Howard was born and raised in the heart and soul of New Orleans. As an artist, she describes herself foremost as a colorist. Her work employs a rich array of symbols and color which quietly communicate a deeply personal meaning in every composition. Her early focus
included graphic design and decorative painting, however, in the last 15 years her career has shifted to creating mixed media abstracts and commissioned
designs. Her work has appeared in eight solo showings through Soren Christensen Gallery and she appears throughout the country in private collections.
gretchenwellerhowardart.com
Beth Lambert
A native New Orleanian, figurative work has been my primary focus; themes vary between environmental, political, and personal issues. I've always considered myself a painter, however, recent work includes digital photography, word art, collage, and drawing. I best describe my latest body of work as "instantaneous accidental representation". I am thrilled to be a part of this year's interior guest artist of the BENE collection!
bethlambertart.com
Windy O'Connor
Windy O'Connor is an award-winning American painter whose work is collected around the globe. Her
art and design passion developed into a lifestyle brand of textiles, wallpaper, clothing, and home accessories. Her work is guided by the notion that
"life is a pursuit of creating something that brings another person joy" and conveys an experience, emotion, memory, or person, thanks to her dedication to utilizing various mediums. Her series of abstract portraits of women she calls Chicas has taken on a
life of their own. "That is the power of energy in the creative process!" Windy's Chicas represent the intricacies, humor, strength, and power of women. They are our mothers, sisters, friends, and history
makers.
windyoconnor.com
Cortney Bishop
Charleston-based designer, Cortney Bishop, says that her design vision runs the gamut of style and structure, balancing creativity, comfort, and functionality with a modern flair. Her passion project, "Album," is a tracklist of curated, immersive art and design. Each Album release features an A-Side and B-Side, and BENE is honored to be featured in the December 2024 Album -- inspired by Italian roots. The collaboration launched BENE's newest bag style, The Page, and CB x BENE look forward to the B-Side --coming Spring 2025.