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Sonnhild Kestler | L`Esprit Summer Blanket

L’Esprit
Coming 14 June 2026

L’Esprit is a collection of beautiful things and objects designed in close collaboration with some of our dear artists, designers and brands– especially for SAALHOF 1123.

L’Esprit is the fantasy of a summer in the countryside, spent with plenty of leisure and few plans, a summer of long conversations at the table with family and friends, stretching deep into the cool night. A summer of slow days with thick books, maybe a trip into town or to the water just on time to watch the sun set before we return home full of new memories.

Sonnhild Kestler’s woven cotton blanket is perfect for an afternoon nap or a picnic in the shade. Even in high temperatures, your sunglasses won’t end up in the water thanks to the glamorpous glass bead-studded sunglass chains by Aglagla. The oversized linen shirt by Maison Metzger offers protection from both too much sun and cool evenings, perfectly paired with the silk scarf designed byBruno Zhu for enSoie. And souvenirs and finds of all kinds find a stylish,temporary home inCassidy Toner’s humorous take on the Hermès Vide-Poches.

All ofL’Esprit‘s items have been produced in a strictly limited edition and exclusively for SAALHOF 1123. They deliberately blur the boundaries between contemporary art, design and craftsmanship to create new, playful variations. At the same time, they are an expression of exchange, friendship and collaboration – entirely in keeping with the “Esprit” of SAALHOF 1123.

L’Esprit will be available at SAALHOF 1123 as of Sunday 14 June.

During Art Basel, selected items from the L’Esprit collection will also be available at theArt Basel Shop of Art Basel, located in Hall 1, right next to the entrance to Art Basel Unlimited.

Photography and Videography: Moritz Schermbach
Make-up and Editorial Assistant: Mc Brian Ngo
Model: Hagar Schmidhalter
Editor and Production: Jean-Claude von Burg-Freymond
All items courtesy of the artists & SAALHOF 1123, 2026

L’Esprit
Coming 14 June 2026

L’Esprit is a collection of beautiful things and objects designed in close collaboration with some of our dear artists, designers and brands– especially for SAALHOF 1123.

L’Esprit is the fantasy of a summer in the countryside, spent with plenty of leisure and few plans, a summer of long conversations at the table with family and friends, stretching deep into the cool night. A summer of slow days with thick books, maybe a trip into town or to the water just on time to watch the sun set before we return home full of new memories.

Sonnhild Kestler’s woven cotton blanket is perfect for an afternoon nap or a picnic in the shade. Even in high temperatures, your sunglasses won’t end up in the water thanks to the glamorpous glass bead-studded sunglass chains byAglagla. The oversized linen shirt byMaison Metzger offers protection from both too much sun and cool evenings, perfectly paired with the silk scarf designed byBruno ZhuforenSoie. And souvenirs and finds of all kinds find a stylish,temporary home inCassidy Toner’s humorous take on the Hermès Vide-Poches.

All ofL’Esprit‘s items have been produced in a strictly limited edition and exclusively for SAALHOF 1123. They deliberately blur the boundaries between contemporary art, design and craftsmanship to create new, playful variations. At the same time, they are an expression of exchange, friendship and collaboration – entirely in keeping with the “Esprit” of SAALHOF 1123.

L’Esprit will be available at SAALHOF 1123 as of Sunday 14 June.

During Art Basel, selected items from the L’Esprit collection will also be available at theArt Basel Shop of Art Basel, located in Hall 1, right next to the entrance to Art Basel Unlimited.

Photography and Videography: Moritz Schermbach
Make-up and Editorial Assistant: Mc Brian Ngo
Model: Hagar Schmidhalter
Editor and Production: Jean-Claude von Burg-Freymond
All items courtesy of the artists & SAALHOF 1123, 2026

Piedàterre Venezia | Modigliani Bicolore - Arancio Tramonto/Turchese

Piedàterre Venezia | Modigliani Bambino Blu Cobalto

Piedàterre Venezia | Mary Jane - Blu Mercantile

Piedàterre Venezia | Modigliani Bicolore - Rosso Refosco/Fuxia

Piedàterre Venezia | Mary Jane - Rosa Colombina

Dolce Vita since 1952!
Piedàterre Venezia for bambini and adulti alike.

Beauty and fine craftsmanship sometimes demand patience. But now they have arrived: our most beloved velvet slippers by Piedàterre Venezia. In bright and bold new colors and combinations but also for the first time: in adorable sizes 28 – 35 for the bambini in the house!

In addition to our classic colors of the Modigliani and Mary-Jane models, we have received the incredibly elegant Blue Mercantile– a blue at the verge of black and purple, while the Blu Cobalto is regal in every way. The petrol color on the other hand is like a promise of many summer nights on a piazza while the two-colored versions in Arancio Tramonto/ Turchese or the Rosso Ferosco / Fuxia steal the show at any up-coming vernissage of the season. Oh and did we mention the delicacy of the raspberry Rosa Colombina?

Located right next to the Venice’s most famous Rialto Bridge, Piedàterre’s original, tiny shop painted in light blue and packed from floor to ceiling with their precious velvet slippers has been a home to many connoisseurs of Italian Dolce Vita since 1952.  A must stop-over for actors, artists and other creatives passing through la Serenissima for biennales and film festivals, Piedàterre has become an international phenomenon where style, fashion and craftsmanship meet at its best.

While many brands have entered the market of velvet slippers since 1952, Piedàterre is not only the original and authentic Venetian „Friulane“ maker, but also the only one where each pair is entirely handmade in their community of Italian craftspeople. Each detail from the weaving of their artisanal velvet to cutting and the meticulous final stitching, every phase follows a protocol that rejects haste in favour of absolute dedication.

The history of the Venetian slipper also known as „Friulane“ was born in the 19th Century north of Veneto, in Friuli, where, during a period of post-war necessity, Italian families began to stitch together sumptuous velvet curtains from closed theatres and flattened bicycle tyres to make new shoes with genius and flair.

Today Piedàterre slippers bring understated chic and a timeless sensibility to contemporary wardrobes from Piazza San Marco aperitivos to New York red carpets and Amalfi Coast sunsets. At Saalhof 1123 we are honored to be one of very selected vendors of this cultural icon throughout the world - exclusively in Switzerland.

Flaka Jahaj / Studio Passenger | Besa - Striped crochet bias cardigan with matching buttons

Flaka Jahaj / Studio Passenger | Luana - Golden Bouclé loops crochet bag S

Flaka Jahaj / Studio Passenger | Afërdita - Hand crocheted Dress (Orange with Purple Hem)

Flaka Jahaj / Studio Passenger | Luana - Bouclé loops crochet bag (Black)

Flaka Jahaj / Studio Passenger | Era - Honeycomb crochet skirt red with drawstrings

Crochet all the way!
Flaka Jahaj/ Studio Passenger now back in stock

In April 2023, über-popstar Rihanna was pictured wearing a top designed by Flaka Jahaj for JW Anderson- knitted with wool from the Swiss supermarket chain Coop. Such a combination of international glamour, fashion avant-garde, traditional craftsmanship and a humorous portion of Swiss quality is exemplary for the work of designer Flaka Jahaj.   

With her captivating designs of knitwear, bags and home textiles rooted as much in tradition as well as innovation, the London and Zurich-based fashion designer of Kosovarian origin has earned international acclaim. A graduate of Central Saint Martin’s Fashion Design Department, Flaka Jahaj has worked as a consultant for international designers such as JW Anderson, Rick Owens or enSoie while running her own label. In a world of superfast fashion and constant copy pasting of style, Jahaj’s designs are anachronistic and truly visionary in many ways.

On one hand, Flaka Jahaj is radical in her choice of materials, techniques and aesthetics. Crocheted or knitted, they are a romantic echo of a long lost socialist visual universe- and personal childhood memory. At the same time, they are hyper-contemporary by transforming the skills and knowledge of traditional handicrafts into designs of bold colors and sexy silhouettes. Wool or cotton yarn celebrate their materiality in creating utterly body conscious lines and shapes that reveal, accentuate and even exaggerate, all with an almost obsessive notion to detail and perfection in the making.

At the same time, also Flaka Jahaj’s approach to production and collaboration reflects her multitude of characteristic cultural experiences. From being a war refugee stranded in the mountains of rich Switzerland to designing for the international fashion avant-garde- and finally that of an independent designer and business woman running her own label and store. Until today, each piece is entirely handmade by a network of women in her hometown of Pristina, Kosovo, using mainly left-over or recycled wool.

Uniqueness in Flaka Jahaj’s design thus doesn’t just come from the label „handmade“, as it being used by so many other brands. But it is also a reaction to expectations of the fashion world and clients alike to perform and deliver endlessly. So, while the design of e.g. a top or a bag stays the same, the product itself varies in texture and form depending on its maker’s signature style- and the availability of materials.   

With both much modesty and stubbornness, Flaka Jahaj has established a distinctive aesthetic and international fashion brand. And by doing so, she has created a self-organized micro-system of re-distribution and innovation: of materials and economies on one hand. But also of tradition, aesthetics and personal values.

Ladybugs, gnomes and carrot planting bunnies
enSoie’s spring ceramics ornament collection

With their intruiging, individual features, loving hand-painted brushstrokes and careful coloring, enSoie’s ceramic ornaments have achieved collector status in quite a few households between the Grisons mountains and the lake of Geneva.

Every spring, enSoie unveils a new collection of limited-edition, hand-painted ceramic figurines. Whether used as tree ornaments or fairy tale table decoration, the eggs, bunnies, ladybugs, gnomes and butterflies all delight with their subtle details, giving each piece an individual character.

The bunny– somewhat the enSoie family’s mascot– of course is a central motif in this spring time extravaganza… Sometimes curiously jumping about, sometimes sitting still on top of ceramic vessel or then working the garden, which has awoken from its winter slumber. Perfectly dressed with a rose-colored ribbon they all make a wonderful addition to your spring decorations, indoors on a branch, a table or also gracing your tree in the garden.

Maison Metzger has arrived in store!
Cocktail, Friday 27 March 2026, 17:00 – 20:00

On the occasion of the long-awaited arrival of Maison Metzger’s shirts, shorts and bags, we warmly invite you to join us for a cocktail at SAALHOF 1123. Together, we celebrate the re-birth of a legendary Basel brand, one that once stood for craftsmanship, precision and a distinct sense of understated elegance. Now, Maison Metzger returns with a contemporary interpretation of its heritage. Essential garments, carefully made, rooted in tradition yet designed for today.

Join us for a drink, discover the collection in store and spend a lovely spring evening with us.

Founded in 1888 as Gustav Metzger AG in Basel, the company became known for its high-quality shirts, technical innovation and production in Switzerland.

After several decades of silence, Maison Metzger is now brought back to life by a small team around the Metzger family. Their approach remains faithful to the original spirit, with a focus on materials, craftsmanship and quiet design. The current collection includes Oxford shirts, shorts and accessories, all defined by comfort, durability and a refined everyday aesthetic.

Join us in rediscovering a piece of Basel’s textile history, brought back to life with care, precision and a contemporary eye.

Now at SAALHOF 1123 and soon in your wardrobe!

Cirerie de Gascogne | Parfum de Maisons – Menthe Verte - Sauvignon - Anis

From the lands of d’Artagnan to the contemporary
Cirerie de Gascogne now available at SAALHOF 1123

Between the Atlantic ocean and the Pyrenees mountains, in the South West of France lies the historical region of Gascony, known for its untouched, rolling hills, mediaval villages and vast pine forests.These authentic, contrasted landscapes have inspired writers and artists since centuries: most famously Gascony is the land of d'Artagnan in Alexandre Dumas'sThe Three Musketeersand was the home of Emily St. Aubert, the central character of Ann Radcliffs iconic gothic novelThe Mysteries of Udolpho.

And today, nature and myths of the Gascogne region are the home ofCirerie de Gascognea small, independent manufacturer of room perfums and scented candles that we are excited to now premiere in Switzerland at SAALHOF 1123.

Deeply rooted in their traditions, the products of Cirerie de Gascogne mirror their profound connection to the historical soils of Gascogny, they cater to the harvest of each season, its particular colors, light and odors.
Each scent is available as a vegetagble wax candle as well as a room perfume for a more momentary impression. They are sometimes surprising compositions and combinations built around three central notes, from grapes to spices and herbs, from wild flowers to plant fibres and mushrooms.

All ingredients are locally sourced and reflect what is growing, worked or harvested at this specific time of the year on the lands of Gascogne.

So join us on a discovery of the lands of d’Artagnan: out into the wild, the romantic and the adventurous.

Tous pour un, un pour tous!

Vintage Costume Jewelry | Stanley Hagler NYC Ian St. Gielar – Necklace

Vintage Costume Jewelry | Hattie Carnegie – Brooch Turtle

Samuel Kopp | Samuel Kopp – Necklace Pearl and Murano

Vintage Costume Jewelry | Elsa Schiaparelli (Attributed) – Pin Black Leaves

Vintage Costume Jewelry | Nettie Rosenstein – Brooch Coral Flower Trembler

Le lys dans la vallée
Opening Wednesday 11 February 2026, 18:00 – 20:00

Long before Bridgerton, in 1835, Honoré de Balzac published his novel on love and society in his collection of writings on life in the countryside. Le Lys dans la vallée (The Lily of the valley) reflects on a passionate but impossible love affair that remains bound by the unwritten laws and social hierarchies of society of his time.

At SAALHOF 1123, we also like to question familiar formats of representation and art forms. And in keeping with the upcoming Valentine's Day, we are following an intuition that is at least as romantically motivated as the heroes in Honoré de Balzac's texts.

For the upcoming exhibitionLe Lys dans la vallée, iconicvintage costume jewelleryis displayed in a floral stage-like setting created byFleurs des Rois. Rhinestones, glass, semi-precious stones and refined surfaces of these museum-worthy pieces of craftsmanship from several decades of the 20th century shine and sparkle in a carpet of mosses and flowers. They tell stories of Hollywood and Paris, of the sea and the forest, of the stars and beings from other worlds.   

The presentation also marks the start of a new series of carefully curated, partly experimental presentations at SAAHOF 1123, bringing together different forms of art and craftsmanship. Guests and friends are invited, as are designers and producers with whom we have been working for some time.

Last autumn, we had the privilege of presenting selected pieces of vintage costume jewelleryfrom a private collection in Basel. For the upcoming exhibition, pianist, singer, collector and jewellery designer Samuel Kopp has once again put together a selection of unique pieces for us.

Among them are absolutely iconic pieces by Elsa Schiaparelli from the 1950s, who is now celebrated again for her surrealist designs, as well as a brooch by her confidant Jean Cocteau. The presentation also features rare, sought-after pieces from 1940s New York by Nettie Rosenstein, Eisenberg Original or the famous Hattie Carnegie. Jewellery from Parisian Haute Couture from the 1970s to the 2000s is also included, such as an extremely rare ‘Bird of Paradise’ bangle by Alber Elbaz for Lanvin and pieces by Yves Saint Laurent, Christian Diorand Maison Goossens, Chanel's house jeweller.

We are also particularly pleased to be showing some important pieces by Samuel Kopp for the first time. Inspired by his passion as a collector, Samuel creates unique pieces consisting of vintage or antique elements, which are brought back into circulation through their recomposition.   

The floral designs ofFleurs des Roisare known far beyond the borders of Basel for their colourful sensuality and sometimes opulence. Their bouquets, arrangements and room decorations are wild yet aesthetically complex compositions that satisfy our longing for colour, fragrance and beauty in everyday life. Especially for the exhibition at SAALHOF 1123, Severin Stadler,Fleurs des Rois’s store manager and Head florist ofGrand Hotel Les Trois Rois has designed a spacious, ephemeral installation – a unique, romantic stage for the dazzling fascination of costume jewellery.