ArtiStory, the London-based company that specializes in art and cultural IP licensing, has announced its new branded retail business. Its first platform, ArtiStory Collections, launches this week.
The new online store will sell an extensive variety of branded fashion, homeware, gift and stationery products from major global museums and cultural institutions, such as London’s National Gallery, Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts and the Brooklyn Museum in New York. In addition, ArtiStory reports that it has plans to open pop-up stores in the future.
“We’re incredibly privileged to hold global licensing rights to the collections of many leading cultural organizations in the world,” says Natasha Dyson, co-founder and licensing director at ArtiStory. “In partnership with them, we develop contemporary, trend-driven designs inspired by their collections for the products we are bringing to the world with ArtiStoryCollections. Far from being paintings slapped on souvenirs, the store offers shoppers thoughtfully designed lifestyle products that resonate with all ages.”
The products available on ArtiStory Collections will all feature designs “from ArtiStory’s growing collection of bespoke designs inspired by their museum partners’ collections, and informed by the latest trends data,” notes the company.
ArtiStory’s latest collections of designs include three new themes:
- Mythical Wonderland, inspired by famous paintings of Roman and Greek goddesses (Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and the National Gallery, London) as well as prized artefacts from Ancient Greece (Benaki Museum, Athens).
- Around the World, which includes John Singer Sargent’s maritime paintings (Brooklyn Museum, New York) and Caneletto’s Venetian Paintings (Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum, Madrid), among others.
- Modern Mix Up, inspired by some of the most famous artists of the 20th century, such as iconic works by Mondrian and Kandinsky (Centre Pompidou, Paris).
In addition, notes the company, its Gathering of the Greats theme has been refreshed with newly designed assets inspired by classic master artists such as Vincent van Gogh, Albert Durer, Claude Monet and Leonardo da Vinci.
“The launch of ArtiStory’s new business comes at an exciting period of growth for ArtiStory as more and more cultural institutions and global brands recognize the potential of art and cultural IP licensing to not only boost revenue and sales, but to bring people around the world truly unique products and experiences that inspire and delight them. We’re very much looking forward to bringing ArtiStory Collections to the world,” says Yizan He, co-founder and CEO at ArtiStory.
The company has recently been working to secure master rights for more global museum partners and seek new partnerships with brands. Recent projects have included:
- A crossover between Boston’s Museum of Fine Art and Chinese brand Tecno for launching a new smart phone inspired by Mondrian’s artwork at the Museum;
- Licensing ancient cultural legacies from the City of Dunhuang, a UNESCO world heritage site on the Silk Road, for use in a new episode of the Chinese mobile game, Clash of Kings;
- Launching a series of digital collectibles inspired by artwork from New York’s Brooklyn Museum in China; and
- Working with footwear brand TOMS on a new range of products featuring artwork from Frida Kahlo.
ArtiStory is also working with hospitality group Jinjiang Group to launch an innovative themed hotel room using IP from Dunhuang. Plus, the company is developing a number of location-based entertainment (LBE) events, including themed exhibitions and pop-ups that combine multi-sensory experiences, learning experiences and shopping experiences.
The company notes that its ArtiStory Collections are just the first steps in its endeavor to expand its retail business. Branded platforms in China will follow, it notes, and “additional retail concepts offering seasoned art lovers a more specialized, premium retail experience, launching in the coming months.”
