Michael DeSutter on his series, Goyard Dreams

“In early 2018, I watched Rapture, a Netflix series that delves into a string of young rappers’ stories. In time, a theme emerged for me as each artist spoke about the luxury objects they already had or aimed to obtain. I realized that I lacked their confidence that my art could change my life in the same way. These bodies of work came out of a period when I began to envision a future in which following my passion, just as those musicians had, would bring me similar financial success.

I explored this idea through different bodies of work: Goyard Dreams LP, Goyard Dreams Flora, Goyard Dreams Comptoir Near You, and Goyard Dreams Shop With Confidence. Why Goyard? In my view, Goyard is an established brand with a time-honored tradition of doing the same thing well: crafting expensive, high quality leather trunks and bags. By not catering to current trends or changing with the times, Goyard has further established itself a status object.

The larger series is born out of my interest in rap culture: I began by exploring luxury fashion patterns and iconography, and subsequently I developed my own “luxury pattern” by breaking down vintage black and white photography. After months spent gathering materials, I went to L.A. to create the bulk of the series, enacting what had previously been abstract and putting my own Goyard Dream into action. A Goyard Dream is a tangible goal, one I’m certain I'll obtain only by fully pursuing my passion.”

- Michael DeSutter

Michael DeSutter says:

“Why Goyard? In my view, Goyard is an established brand with a time-honored tradition of doing the same thing well: crafting expensive, high quality leather trunks and bags. In not catering to current trends or changing with the times, Goyard has stood as a unique brand, making it an even clearer status object.”