After graduating from London's Central Saint Martins, Gordienko created the thick Marfa Journal, a magazine dedicated to her impressions of everything in the world from travels with friends across the U.S. and encounters with Erik Brunetti, creator of the FUCT clothing brand, to works by minimalist artist Donald Judd. Mercurys properties house boutiques for such fashion brands as Gucci, Prada and Giorgio Armani, as well as showrooms for Ferrari, Maserati and Bentley automobiles. In 2001 they established BoscoSport, which dressed the IOC officials at the Olympics in Rio. Friedland says that he is mulling expansion to St. Petersburg and also of rolling out department stores across the former Soviet Union. Owned by Leonid Friedland and Leonid Strunin, the Moscow-based Mercury Group is the largest luxury retailer in Russia. Mysterious Tomb Unearthed in Armenia, Containing a Couple Who DiedTogether. While last months EU sanctions led to the French government seizing a yacht belonging to another oligarch, Igor Sechin, Avens work does not appear to be at risk of being confiscated by the UK government at least for now. Phillips auction house has voiced its condemnation of Russias invasion of Ukraine. I dont think that anyone should be dealing with Russian or Russian-owned companies at the moment, said Andy Hall, an art collector and philanthropist. bombing of a Ukrainian maternity hospital. Mercury is also Russias largest retailer of luxury watches, Swatch Group has already said it has stopped exporting watches to Russia, Patek Phillipe Nautilus watch created with Tiffany, LVMH and Richemont suspend operations in Russia, Breitling CEO joins street protest against Russian invasion of Ukraine, eBay auctions Milus Snow Star Boreal Green to raise money for Red Cross in Ukraine, Christopher Ward gifts Ukraine watch to 18-year-old refugee from his war-torn country, Sanctions push Harrods to limit watch sales to Russian customers. Maezawa bought the painting atChristies New York in May 2016 for a then record $57.2m (including fees). With charitable donations and public statements in support of Ukraine, Phillips, an auction house owned by Russians, is trying to deflect those pushing for a boycott of its business. 8. The Russian group has owned Phillips since 2008, when it acquired the company from Simon de Pury for an estimated $60 million. Mr Fridlyand and Mr Strunins connection to the watch and jewelry world has not been widely reported but the art world has reacted strongly and is calling for collectors to boycott Phillips auctions, which has flagship operations in Geneva, New York and London. More assertive action needs to be taken to try and stop what is going on in Ukraine. to return $6400 to Borodin, according to the receipt. In autumn and winter 1997, Skuratov received 14 suites. People take note of the Conservative MP who said that everyone who is Russian should be sent back and another who suggested Russian deposits should be limited to 50,000., They added: The collectors of art are rare in any group but it might be a higher percentage among this group because they have the means, the time and also the interest and incentive. Aside from its owners referred to in the art world as the two Leonids the other most visible Russian in the British art world is Peter Aven, a UK-based oligarch who stepped down from a London-based investment conglomerate and a prestigious Royal Academy position after he and other oligarchs were hit by EU sanctions. Source: Nezavisimaya Gazeta, 22 October 2003. While many tended to have traditional tastes, the same source said it was particularly sad as sanctions on Russia, and the clampdown on the movement of money, would halt a growing trend towards collecting and preserving more recent Russian art and history. However, none of its competitors believe it. Mercury also holds the Moscow Central Universal Department Store (TSUM), a chain of boutiques and stores in Moscow and regions. In an Instagram post on March 1, the companys CEO Stephen Brooks reacted with dismay to the organizations 289,000 followers at the invasion of Ukraine. One cannot imagine a list of world-famous Russians without top model model and mother of four Natalya Vodyanova. Rolex, Audemars Piguet and Patek Philippe said they would not comment when asked by WATCHPRO about their position on Russian invasion of Ukraine. But like real estate, the art market has received temporary exemptions from anti-money laundering regulations in the US for the past two decades. (The Mercury Group is a Russian luxury-goods business owned by Leonid Friedland and Leonid Strunin, otherwise known as "the Leonids".) 2/18/2023 6:53 AM. Email. The secret of the site's success is its combination of large image spreads with short, carefree news pieces about fashion, beauty, culture and society gossip. Friedland and Strunin have not been named among the people whose assets are being frozen by the US and UK, though even businessmen who are not being hit with sanctions could face difficulties. (Abramovich said Wednesday that hed sell the Chelsea soccer team in the UK.). He suggested ordering suits from the firm Zegna, Property Management Department`s official partner at that time. In 2008, the company`s revenue amounted to 9, 832 billion roubles, sales proceeds totaled 95 million roubles. The artist always plays a prominent role in the twice-yearly contemporary sales in New York, but this season his work saw a phenomenal turnover of $181m, almost a third of the week's total proceeds. Former Bonhams C.E.O. Can the art market simply ignore it and carry on as normal?. On Tuesday, Phillips launched a whisper campaign to let potential buyers know that their sellers are not on any sanctions lists or have any ties to Putin, according to people familiar with the matter. Friedland and Strunin have not been named among the people whose assets are being frozen by the U.S. and U.K., though even businessmen who are not being hit with sanctions could face difficulties going forward. Phillips runs a good operation, but so did German companies during WWII who were intimately involved with the Nazis, Hall wrote on his Instagram account. Can the art market simply ignore it and carry on as normal?, Russian banks have been virtually cut off from the world financial system when they were unplugged from the SWIFT payments apparatus. Hailed as the czars of Russian retail, the business duo brought brands like Gucci and Brioni to their native country. But some art watchers say thats not good enough. Although Friedland does not give figures, sources in Moscow suggest that Mercury's annual turnover is $300 million outstripping its competitors in the luxury field. Yesterday, the Russian-owned auction house Phillips (which last year realised a best ever $993.3m in auction and private sales) attempted to clear the air on Instagram by posting a statement in support of Ukraine, also posted by Jean Paul Engelen, the firms recently appointed president, Americas and co-head of 20th century and contemporary art. They are owned by the luxury brands company Mercury Group, headed by two Russian owners, Leonid Friedland and Leonid Strunin. The 226-year-old auction house ranks behind only Sothebys and Christies as one of the sectors major international players, and now markets itself as the worlds most dynamic and forward-thinking auction house, with inroads in new markets such as non-fungible token (NFTs). The company representatives stated that the name Ecolux meant nothing to them, and they are not aware of any supplier with such name. Testimony about a serial killer appeared in the case of the judge's son and ex-deputy prosecutor Father is in prison, children are withdrawing money to London and are chic, The Moscow authorities have transferred 6 billion rubles to the firm of the mafia "Mercator", As Sobyanin, Biryukov and Nikolaev issue Swiss technology for the Russian, Mercator plus Artamonov and Biryukov equals resignation, Officials fell into the mafia web of the "Mercator", As the company of Don Simeon carries civilian aircraft in Zurich, Career Andrei Tarasenko ruined the "Mercator", Company mafia lets officials "under the escarpment", The "Mercator" of Don Simeon and the provincial governor Andrei Tarasenko, The firm of the mafia goes to conquer Primorye. But he could not clear up whether Skuratov`s suits were ordered through the Russian Art shop. Source: Kommersant-Online, 18 January 2012. Contemporary art star Anish Kapoor considers "Phillips as legitimate a target as the Chelsea football club", formerly owned by Roman Abramovitch. Friedland and Strunin also own the Mercury Retail Group, one of the largest luxury goods retailers in Russia. Aucun des deux actuels propritaires de Phillips ne figure sur les listes de sanction et si l'identit des . Name: Leonid Surname : Friedland Middle name : Yakovlevich Post : President and co-owner of Mercury Group Biography Born in 1969. In the Luxury Goods industry, Leonid Friedland has 3,377 colleagues in 246 companies located in 32 countries. The event and forthcoming auctions will also be a litmus test of feeling towards Phillips, which insists it is business as usual in the face of a boycott by respected figures in the art world. owner of investment firm Volga Group who has a track record of working to promote Russian heritage abroad through arts and cultural initiatives. Leonid Friedland's Phone Number and Email Last Update. In November 2011, committee for the administration of state property hesitated to approve the new deadline, suspecting that the company would sell the DLT to Gasprom as the office space. In a second Instagram post yesterday, the auctioneer announced that it will be donating 100% of the buyers premium and vendors commission from its recent 20th Century & Contemporary Art Evening Sale in London to the Ukrainian Red Cross Society. Friedland and Strunin also own the Mercury Retail Group, one of Russia's largest luxury goods retailers. Mercury is also Russia's largest retailer of luxury watches. Khatulya Avsadzhanashvili, general director of Babochka. May 15, 2012 | 4:00am Not even a billionaire can rent out the Four Seasons Hotel's luxe Ty Warner suite for a party. One director of Sothebys another auction house told the Telegraph that they were checking bulletins hourly to see whether any of their buyers and sellers were on any government sanctions lists. The billionaires obviously came but then they brought a next wave, including those who worked with and for them as well as others who came simply because they could, said one concerned Russian whose business is part of a network of advisories and consultancies catering for compatriots needs on schooling, property and culture. In recent years, Phillips has successfully carved out a niche for itself by holding sales of cutting-edge contemporary art, photography and design, in addition to conducting private treaty sales. Their retail network has almost 200 mono-brand boutiques all over Russia, among which are Armani Collezioni, Etro, Gucci, Max Mara, Audemars Piguet and Blancpain. All rights reserved. Mercury Group was established in 1994 by Friedland and Leonid Strunin, who are known to be its principal owners. Efforts to reach the Russian owners for comment were unsuccessful, although it is understood that the Russian nationals are in sympathetic sync with their auction house top brass in calling for peace. Earlier this month, Matthew Girling, the former CEO of Bonhams, told the Art Newspaper that people should boycott Phillips, which Russians Leonid Friedland and Leonid Strunin own. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Mercury has stated that the city government pushes them towards purchasing these commercial spaces on upcoming auction, scheduled on November, 3. Soon the brand closed and Volkova moved to Paris, where she started working as a stylist. Born in 1969, Strunin is the Chairman of Mercury, the largest Russian luxury retailer, selling watches and clothes as well as cars. Dzhabrailov came to the party escorted by the milicia security guards and two blondes. Learn more about Luxury Goods. Having created from a rundown arcade, the Tretyakov Projezd, a mall of brands that Friedland describes as "Moscow's Via Montenapoleone" (referring to the upscale Milan street), Friedland has discovered more fertile areas to seed with its luxury brands from Fendi furs through Tod's shoes. Strunin has identified a suit, confiscated from Skuratov, stating confidently that it is in fact made by Ermeneglido Zegna. A Phillips statement said that its sales of contemporary art rose 80 percent between 2007 and 2008. At the time of the major private deal, Russia had recently emerged as a key art market player. Today she continues to publish the magazine and also works as creative consultant for clients such as Kanye West. All Rights Reserved. They say that until recently, this luxury trader has enjoyed bringing his Mom to the high-end parties, that certainly speaks volumes for him, as well as the Mercury annual turnover, estimated at $150 million. Many of the most high-profile works set to be auctioned on Thursday are by artists popular with Russians, like a 1980s triptych by Francis Bacon expected to fetch up to $73 million. The company owns the "boutique street" in Tretyakov Proyezd in the center of Moscow, the fashionable Barvikha Luxury Village and the TsUM department store, which sells more than 1,000 brands, including Tom Ford, Bottega Veneta, Dolce & Gabbana, Saint Lauren, Bentley, Bulgari and Patek Philippe. Earlier this month, Matthew Girling, the former CEO of Bonhams, told the Art Newspaper that people should boycott Phillips, which is owned by Russians Leonid Friedland and Leonid Strunin . Karput established her avant-garde, street brand store in 2009, using the famous Colette in Paris as a model. They provided the donation but its really not back to business as usual, and I think buyers and consignors should take their business elsewhere. As the financial world unites to launch powerful sanctions against Putins oligarchs, the art auction season has begun in London as if nothing has changed. Along with the rest of the art world, we have been shocked and saddened by the tragic events unfolding in the region. Matthew Girling, chief executive of Bonhams until 2020, told The Art Newspaperhe believes people should still boycott Phillips over its Russian links. Alexandra Gordienko, creator of the Marfa Journal. The auctioneer has also organized selling exhibitions of work by such contemporary artists as Julian Schnabel and Mario Testino, and represents the estate of Helmut Newton. Boasting an extensive real estate portfolio, the duo have overseen the construction of the countrys most prominent luxury developments such as the TsUM department store housed in a historical building close to the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow the DLT TsUM in Saint Petersburg and the affluent Tretyakovsky Proezd shopping arcade. 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