ART BASEL QUEENISSIMA

From June 16 to 22, 2025, ART BASEL, the world’s largest modern and contemporary art fair, was held in Basel.
It captivated an international audience with its fusion of creativity, culture, and social engagement.

Founded in 1970 in Basel, Switzerland, by visionary gallerists Ernst Beyeler, Trudl Bruckner, and Balz Hilt, ART BASEL was conceived as a leading platform for presenting modern and contemporary art in the heart of Europe.
The first edition brought together 90 galleries and attracted over 16,000 visitors, a remarkable launch for a new art fair that would go on to achieve global prestige.

During the 1970s and 1980s, ART BASEL became a must-see event in the art world. Its reputation for rigorous selection has made it a meeting place for collectors, curators, and critics. The fair has distinguished itself by its accessibility to elite art, its encouragement of dialogue, and its promotion of creative innovation.

Becoming a global art phenomenon, ART BASEL expanded its reach in the early 21st century with the launch of Art Basel Miami Beach in 2002 and Art Basel Hong Kong in 2013. These initiatives have propelled the fair’s prestige to new continents, combining the energy of the American, Latin American, and Asian art scenes with the tradition of its European roots. Art Basel Paris officially launched in October 2022 under the name Paris+ by Art Basel, and was fully rebranded as « Art Basel Paris » when it opened at the Grand Palais in October 2024.
Art Basel Qatar will inaugurate in Doha in February 2026, with its first edition taking place at the M7 creative hub in the Msheireb district.
Each city has brought its unique cultural signature to the ART BASEL brand, contributing to its international reach.

Always one step ahead and recognized for its cutting-edge initiatives, ART BASEL has launched dynamic sectors such as Art Basel Unlimited (for monumental works), Parcours (public art installations in Basel), and Conversations (expert-led discussions on art and society).
In recent years, the fair has focused on digital innovation, inclusion, and environmental awareness, evolving with the times while remaining true to its core mission.

Celebrating its 55th anniversary in 2025, ART BASEL welcomed 289 renowned galleries from 42 countries, reaffirming its position as the epicenter of the international art market. With a total attendance of 88,000 people during the preview and public opening days, the event recorded solid sales and strong engagement across all segments.
Reputable collectors and patrons from over 96 countries, from Europe and the Americas to Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, participated. Visitors came from countries as diverse as Switzerland, Germany, and France.

QUEENISSIMA

Miss Europe 🇨🇭 Switzerland
Model New York, London, Milan, Paris, Cannes, Venice, Berlin, Zurich, Red carpets of film festivals, Fashion Weeks, iconic magazines.

This year, QUEENISSIMA distinguished itself as an emerging force redefining the intersection between art, fashion, sustainability, and avant-garde expression of clothing.
Blending ecological awareness with artistic innovation, QUEENISSIMA electrified the event with a presence as bold as it was inspiring. Her contribution transcended aesthetics; her fashion was a statement, combining environmental awareness with visionary artistic creativity.

When fashion becomes art and art becomes movement.
Dressed in ensembles crafted from reclaimed materials, natural fabrics, and embellished with hand-painted details, QUEENISSIMA’s collection challenged the traditional boundaries between fashion and art.

Her participation at Art Basel was not just a visual spectacle; it was a direct call for a more sustainable approach within two creative industries.

A bold vision and a purpose.
What sets QUEENISSIMA apart is its seamless fusion of haute couture and a powerful environmental message. Represented by Natalie Spivak, reigning Miss Europe Switzerland, a model and passionate eco-artist based in Switzerland, QUEENISSIMA caused a sensation with a live performance transforming used fabrics into artistic masterpieces.
Each piece bore her unique, hand-painted slogans, bold, inspiring, and protected by global copyright.
These powerful phrases, first presented in her 2025 book, were designed to inspire boldness, authenticity, and personal strength, transforming each outfit into a wearable work of art.

A harbinger of ART BASEL’s future?
As ART BASEL adapts to reflect changing global values, the appearance of QUEENISSIMA may well signal a broader transformation, one in which ecological values and artistic excellence go hand in hand. Her performance was not just an artistic highlight, it was a call for enlightenment.
In this time of ecological emergency, QUEENISSIMA’s art both reflects current challenges and points the way to a more responsible future. For many visitors, her exhibition marked the moment when art took on a new dimension, sparking debates that extended beyond the gallery walls.

©2025 – IMPACT EUROPEAN

About The Author

Gerard CROSSAY

See author's posts