Coveted by royalty and adorned by celebrities and heads of state alike, Helen von Bueren’s Lotus Arts de Vivre exudes extravagance. What was initially created as a hobby business by art connoisseurs Helen and Rolf von Bueren, has manifested into a full-fledged family business. Creating intricate pieces from jewelry and bags to invaluable home-décor – Lotus Arts de Vivre takes the rank of heirloom worthy artistry. The works of art created at the hands of dedicated craftsmen have traveled the world over, catching the eyes of some of the world’s most prolific personalities, will be exhibited in Kuwait this month.
Hailing all the way from Thailand, Lotus Arts de Vivre has always been a labor of love. Amongst the first expats to move to Bangkok, Rolf and Helen fell in love with the artistry found in the region. Traveling far and wide, they’ve gathered inspiration for designs and materials across Asia to create wondrous works of art. In doing so, the Buerens have succeeded at preserving a piece of old Siam’s Asian traditions. Now run by Helen and Rolf’s sons, Sri and Nicki, Lotus Arts de Vivre has evolved with a new generation of design and aesthetic on an international scale.
One-of-a-kind creations and the rare craftsmanship behind such beautiful designs has put Lotus Arts de Vivre on everyone’s hyperbolic “to-covet” list. Modern and ancient styles mesh seamlessly in their creations and every intricate detail makes each piece phenomenal in its own right. While their boutiques and representatives are situated far and wide across the world, Lotus Arts de Vivre will be exhibiting to the public their immaculate wonders in Kuwait for two days only, April 25 and 26 – the 24th is reserved for invitations only. We got to the opportunity to sit with Nicki von Bueren to learn more about these stunning designs beforehand to pick his brain.
Is this your first time in Kuwait and the region?
No, we have held several exhibitions in the region including Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Dubai.
Will Kuwait, or the region, possibly be seeing the opening of a boutique in the future?
We very much hope to have a boutique in Kuwait soon.
How do you see people responding to your stunning creations?
By doing exhibitions in the region we are able to see peoples’ reactions to our various designs which are generally inspired by different combinations of materials and techniques found around the world. In Kuwait we have had a very positive response to our designs for both the jewelry and home collections.
Is every piece created a one-off?
In jewelry, over 70% of our creations are one-offs while in the home products division, around 50% are. In an ideal world we would only produce one-off pieces but it is very difficult to maintain a business with only one-off pieces.
Who, in your own words, is your typical or ideal client?
Our clients are generally people who appreciate art and design and are social leaders and not afraid to try something new. Generally, they are bold and have a strong personality. But basically, anyone who appreciates our designs is an ideal client!
Could you tell us more about how each piece is created?
We are always creating pieces in our workshops in Bangkok where we have approximately 100 very talented craftsmen. Each piece is created partly with skill, and partly with love. You have to like what you do in order to create an object for others to either wear or place in their homes. It’s a very personal business and we enjoy sharing our creations on a daily basis with those who appreciate them.
What are some of your favorite pieces created?
We create handbags out of bamboo, use scarab wings and fine lacquer in jewelry, and utilize natural cinnabar lacquer in our home decoration pieces. They all have a story and will hopefully make you smile when you look at them. One of my current favorites is a parrot handbag made from scarab wings which took almost eight months to complete.
What makes the craftsmanship so different than any other?
It is the combination of materials and designs that we incorporate in every piece that makes our designs stand out and are always recognizable.
What is art to you?
Art is something to admire, it stands out and creates conversations.
“Lotus Arts de Vivre is…”
Wearable and accessible timeless arts for everyone.
Make sure to check out Lotus Arts de Vivre at the Al Jahra Ballroom in the JW Marriott, Kuwait City when it’s open to the public on April 25 and 26. April 24 is reserved for invitations only. You can look at their stunning work online by going to their website www.lotusartsdevivre.com. Follow them on Instagram @LotusArtsdeVivre, Facebook: LotusArtsdeVivre and Twitter @LAdV_News, or call them at 6655 5929 or email them at kuwait@lotusartsdevivre.com for more information.
