Julian Croft

Senior Editor, Art & Criticism

As the Senior Editor of Art & Criticism for La Mia Musa, Julian Croft guides readers through the complex worlds of contemporary painting, sculpture, and curatorial practice. His coverage spans major gallery exhibitions, critical theory, and auction house previews, providing deep market analysis alongside rigorous aesthetic evaluation. Characterized by historical depth and a healthy skepticism toward fleeting trends, Julian's work delivers the essential context needed to understand today's fine art landscape.

Expertise

Post-War & Contemporary PaintingArt Market AnalysisCritical TheorySculpture & Installation ArtMuseum StudiesCuratorial Practice

Coverage Areas

The Canvas (Major Gallery Exhibitions)
The Essay (Critical Theory & Art History)
Auction House Previews & Results

Latest Articles

Artisans in a high-fashion atelier using advanced tools and innovative materials to create intricate, avant-garde garments.
The Atelier

What are high fashion craftsmanship innovations and why do they matter?

In 2021 alone, interest in 'Couture' declined by 13 percent, according to Luxuo .

Jul 18, 2026 · 4 min read

Haute couture garments showcasing intricate ancient textile patterns inspired by traditional craftsmanship and historical techniques.
The Atelier

What Ancient Textile Techniques Inspire Haute Couture?

In a quiet corner of Northern Ireland, the William Clark factory still 'beetles' linen, a centuries-old process that recently inspired Sarah Burton's Alexander McQueen spring 2020 collection, accordin

Jul 14, 2026 · 4 min read

An AI-designed haute couture gown displayed on virtual models, symbolizing the intersection of technology and high fashion.
The Runway

AI and virtual couture redefine artistic boundaries

In a stark departure from tradition, Alexis Mabille recently unveiled an entire haute couture collection designed by artificial intelligence and showcased on virtual models, marking a significant mome

Jul 12, 2026 · 4 min read

Master watchmaker's hands using a rose engine lathe to engrave a detailed guilloché pattern on a luxury watch dial.
The Vault

What is Guilloché engraving and why does it command high value?

Creating a single guilloché pattern, a decorative technique fundamental to luxury horology, can demand several hours or even days of meticulous hand-craftsmanship.

Jul 5, 2026 · 4 min read

Queen Latifah makes a bold fashion statement in a dramatic, textured Kilian Kerner coat on the red carpet at the 2026 BET Awards.
The Runway

Queen Latifah dazzles in Kilian Kerner at BET Awards 2026

At the 2026 BET Awards, Queen Latifah made a striking entrance in a dramatic, pouffy textured coat by Kilian Kerner, instantly becoming a focal point of red carpet discussion.

Jun 29, 2026 · 2 min read

A courtroom drama unfolds as a fashion designer's creation is debated as art, questioning the legal protection afforded to creative works.
The Salon

What is fashion as art? A critical look at design protection

The American fashion industry, a $340 billion powerhouse, operates under a peculiar legal paradox: its designers often find their creations unprotected by the same copyright laws that shield a painter

Jun 29, 2026 · 3 min read

Elegant perfume bottles intertwined with glowing social media icons and abstract data streams, representing the digital strategies of top fragrance brands.
The Profile

Top 10 Fragrance Brands Dominate Social Media With New Digital Strategies

In May, Gucci's fragrance line dominated social media vitality scores, a feat achieved through extensive paid campaigns for major launches.

Jun 23, 2026 · 2 min read

A sophisticated art museum interior showcasing contemporary sculpture, with visitors engaging in a high-culture experience sponsored by a luxury brand.
The Salon

Luxury Brands' Art Curation Strategy Will Define Identity by 2026

Louis Vuitton's Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris attracted over 1.

Jun 20, 2026 · 3 min read

A contemporary art sculpture displayed within a luxury fashion boutique, with a visitor capturing a photo on their smartphone.
The Salon

Contemporary art is reshaping luxury brand identity

At a recent Louis Vuitton exhibition, visitors posed with a branded sculpture for Instagram, largely ignoring the haute couture's historical context.

Jun 17, 2026 · 3 min read

Isaac Mizrahi, Target's new Creative Director at Large, oversees a design session in a modern retail environment.
The Profile

Isaac Mizrahi named Target's first Creative Director at Large

Isaac Mizrahi, a name synonymous with Target's past design triumphs, returns to the retailer not for a new collection, but as its first-ever Creative Director at Large, effective June 15, 2026, accord

Jun 15, 2026 · 2 min read

Nina Dobrev stuns in a sheer, feathered designer gown at the Taormina Film Festival, showcasing a bold new direction for bridal fashion.
The Runway

Nina Dobrev's Sheer, Feathered Look Influences Bridal Fashion

Nina Dobrev arrived at the 72nd Taormina Film Festival in Italy wearing a sheer, feathered two-piece by One/Of by Patricia Voto, totaling nearly $13,000.

Jun 14, 2026 · 2 min read

Bernard Arnault paying tribute to David Hockney's art at the Fondation Louis Vuitton following the artist's death.
The Atelier

Bernard Arnault Honors David Hockney at Fondation Louis Vuitton

Just weeks before his major exhibition at the Fondation Louis Vuitton was set to close, iconic British artist David Hockney died at 88, prompting a swift and personal tribute from LVMH chairman Bernar

Jun 13, 2026 · 3 min read

Guests dressed in high fashion admire art at the Royal Academy Summer Party, showcasing a fusion of art and design.
The Profile

British fashion shines at Royal Academy Summer Party

The Royal Academy Summer Exhibition party, traditionally a bastion of fine art, this year saw designer Olivia Ozi‑Oiza Chance debut pieces from her Oiza Studio's spring 2025 collection, signaling a ne

Jun 11, 2026 · 2 min read

FIFA World Cup trophy with an expensive ticket in the foreground, symbolizing high costs and investigation into pricing.
The Atelier

NY, NJ Probe FIFA's World Cup Ticket Costs for Fans

World Cup final tickets in New Jersey are priced from $15,000 and can escalate to $90,000 for field-side access, a situation that has prompted an investigation by state attorneys general.

Jun 8, 2026 · 4 min read

Users engaging with a luxury brand's AI-powered augmented reality filter on Snapchat, showcasing digital fashion in a futuristic cityscape.
The Profile

Luxury Brands Deepen Social Media Engagement by 2026

In 2026, as Australia bans social media for under-16s and a US court finds Meta and Google liable for addictive algorithms, Gucci launched its 'La Famiglia' AI Lens on Snapchat, transforming users int

Jun 7, 2026 · 3 min read

Extreme close-up of a microscopic sculpture inside a Greubel Forsey watch, visible through a built-in microscope, showcasing unparalleled micro-sculpture craftsmanship.
The Vault

What is micro-sculpture craftsmanship in watchmaking?

Greubel Forsey's Art Piece 1 contains a sculpture so tiny it can fit inside a strand of facial hair, visible only through a microscope built into the watch itself.

Jun 7, 2026 · 4 min read

Olivier Rousteing in a high-fashion atelier, surrounded by holographic Balmain and Rabanne logos, representing a new era in luxury fashion.
The Profile

Oliver Rousteing's Rabanne Move Redefines Luxury Fashion's Future

After a fifteen-year tenure transforming Balmain into a commercial powerhouse, Olivier Rousteing's reported next step isn't a new creative directorship but a 'discreet collaboration' with Rabanne, sig

Jun 5, 2026 · 2 min read

The exterior of the new 100Hands store on London's prestigious Savile Row, showcasing its blend of traditional architecture and modern luxury.
The Accessory

100Hands to Open First London Store on Savile Row

A bespoke shirtmaker, 100Hands, whose 435 artisans craft shirts in Punjab, India, will open its first global retail store on London's prestigious Savile Row this fall.

Jun 1, 2026 · 2 min read

A sophisticated display of Loewe's iconic leather bags and accessories, emphasizing craftsmanship and luxury, with a subtle backdrop hinting at a star-studded campaign.
The Accessory

Loewe Celebrates 180 Years with Leather Excellence Anniversary Campaign

Loewe, a brand predating the telephone, marks its 180th anniversary with an animated film narrated by Antonio Banderas and a campaign featuring stars from Sissy Spacek to GISELLE.

Jun 1, 2026 · 2 min read

The ultra-thin Piaget x Wristcheck Altiplano Ultimate Automatic watch, a limited edition timepiece with a 4.3mm thickness, displayed elegantly.
The Atelier

Piaget and Wristcheck Unveil Limited-Edition Altiplano Watch

At a staggering 4.3 millimeters thick, the new Piaget x Wristcheck Altiplano Ultimate Automatic is a marvel of ultra-thin engineering. This limited-edition watch, a collaboration according to Hypebeas

Jun 1, 2026 · 2 min read