Bond Street and the Royal Academy of Arts celebrate 250 years of Art

A notable fact about Bond Street is that it doesn’t actually exist! Let me explain …

Flags in Bond Street in celebration of 250 years of Art

In 1684 Sir Thomas Bond set out to develop Old Bond Street. It wasn’t until some 40 years later that New Bond Street was built. These two streets form what is now commonly referred to as Bond Street – a street synonymous with luxury and wealth. With it’s abundance of unique architecture Bond Street in it’s entirety is included in the Mayfair Conservation Area.

I was lucky enough to be invited along to an event held by Bond Street Association who showed us Bond Street’s new window installations to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Royal Academy of Arts (RA). The windows are both beautiful, fascinating and a way of making art accessible and free for all. You can see them from 22nd June to 8th July 2018.

Fenwick opened in Bond Street in 1891 and have a long history of creating stunning window displays. They commissioned Pierre Le-Tan to document the history of the RA through a series of illustrations.

Smythson worked with Declan Jenkins, an RA alumni, to co design ‘Out of the Blue’, a giant notebook inspired by Smythson’s own luxury products.

Sotheby's Bond Street — Sotheby’s Bond Street

Sotheby’s have created ‘The Artist’s Studio’. It’s designed to be a fun space where live art, drawing classes and interviews will be held throughout the summer.

Sotheby’s Bond Street

At Temperley London two graduate artists, Lia Chiarin and Emily Herring are painting in the shop window – fascinating to watch the art coming together before your eyes.

Temperley London Bond Street

Moreau Paris, an iconic french luxury brand, have created this design especially for the anniversary. Their window display is set against a background of “The Scene on the French Coast” from the British artist, JMW Turner