Philip Karto press - Woman holding a black handbag with magazines in the background

Philip Karto in the Press

The work, as the press has seen it.

The Upcycling Revolutionary

Reported in Forbes and the international press, Philip Karto's work has been seen on Miley Cyrus, Bella Hadid, Mike Tyson or Floyd Mayweather, to name a few.

Philip Karto with tattoos holding a patterned bag against a colorful mosaic wall, with a quote by Philip Karto.

Each creation begins as an authenticated vintage Louis Vuitton or Hermès piece, often from the 1980s, 1990s, or early 2000s, selected for its history and the integrity of its construction. In the Atelier, it is carefully taken apart, cleaned, and restored by hand, then reimagined through artistic expression and meticulous craftsmanship. Each piece carries the signature of the Atelier, bringing new character to an iconic silhouette while honoring its heritage.

What time left behind is not concealed but answered. A worn seam becomes a deliberate line, a faded panel the canvas for a new artistic expression.

The international press calls it a revolution in luxury. Philip Karto calls it a dialogue with what came before.

Philip Karto press - Forbes article on fashion industry sustainability with a woman wearing a face mask and carrying a Louis Vuitton bag.

Philip Karto press - Magazine cover featuring a model with a floral arrangement, with visible text and images on the right side.

Philip Karto press - Fashion magazine cover featuring a model in a dress with text about climate crisis and Tasha Til, a red handbag with floral design.

Philip Karto press - Marie Claire magazine cover with a woman in a swimsuit on a boat

Philip Karto press - Promotional graphic for a chat with Philip Knoe featuring images of handbags and a person.

Philip Karto press - Woman in a red and white striped swimsuit on the cover of L'Officiel Baltic magazine.

Philip Karto press - Magazine cover featuring a model with text and handbags on a blurred background

Philip Karto press - Cover of 'Entrepreneur' magazine featuring a man with a prayer gesture and text about 50 most daring entrepreneurs.

Philip Karto press - Elle Italia magazine cover featuring a woman in a stylish outfit with fashion-themed text.

Philip Karto press - Medium article cover with a man's portrait and text about disrupting an industry

Philip Karto press - Magazine cover featuring a woman with blonde hair and text overlay

Philip Karto press - Article about Philip Karto making a stand with customised luxury bags, featuring a man in a black shirt against a brick wall.

Philip Karto press - Magazine cover with a person in a pink outfit and 'NYLON' branding

Philip Karto press - Group of people posing in front of a branded backdrop with text about Fashion Forward Week Las Vegas and PAGE magazine.

Philip Karto press - Open magazine with a cover featuring a model with blue hair on a wooden surface

Brown vintage Hermès bag with skull design and 'Rock' text by Philip Karto, held by a person.

The story

The Atelier, in time

What began with a single hand-painted vintage bag has evolved into an Atelier where luxury heritage meets artistic expression. From a milestone sellout in Paris to a new chapter of creative exploration, discover the moments that shaped Philip Karto.

Nearly a decade dedicated to reimagining vintage luxury through art and craftsmanship

Person holding a vintage patterned Louis Vuitton Keepall bag upcycled by philip Karto with tattoos on arms

2003–2016

Before the Atelier

Designs for Kulte, Christian Audigier and Faith Connexion. The rock and roll signature that will define the Atelier takes shape.

Close up of hands working on a vintage monogram canva at the Philip Karto Atelier

2017

A Paris sellout

Philip Karto founds the Atelier in Miami. His first hand-painted vintage bags, consigned to Montaigne Market in Paris, sell out within days. The work soon reaches luxury boutiques around the world.

Close up of a Louis Vuitton handbag transformed and upcycled with PHilip Karto designs on a brown leather background.

2024

Pop Art and a following

The Pop Art collection reimagines icons like the Birkin as singular, collectible objects. The work has been carried by collectors and public figures, including Miley Cyrus, Bella Hadid, Mike Tyson and Floyd Mayweather, among others.

View of a Philip Karto PALMS embroidered vintage Louis Vuitton Keepall bag and other models on the floor against a blue curtain background

2026

A push into direct

Backed by new investment, the Atelier makes its biggest push into direct-to-consumer, offering its numbered art editions and one-of-one commissions online, alongside its retail partners.

Designer Philip Karto wearing a white t-shirt on a rooftop with a cityscape background

About Philip Karto

Philip Karto is a French designer and artist who reconstructs authenticated vintage luxury bags into one-of-one works. Born in the south of France, with a background across fashion and jewelry, he founded his Atelier in Miami, where each piece is restored, reauthored, and signed by hand.

He treats a handbag as a canvas and a record, an object with a history that deserves a second life rather than a replacement. He started the Atelier out of discomfort with the waste in fashion, and a belief that the most interesting luxury is the kind that already exists.

ABOUT THE ARTIST