Beauty Art People

Silk Pillow Cases, Organic Lemons, and CVS Bags: 14 Art-World Pros Share Their Packing Tips for Art Basel Miami Beach

As proven by Kim Gordon and Joan Didion, there's poetry in a packing list. 

That's why we asked 14 art-world figures attending this year's Art Basel Miami Beach to tell us what essential items will be in their bags. Some responses were haiku-esque; others, like that of New York-based dealer Christiana Ine-Kimba Boyle, are epic. “Art Basel is a marathon, not a sprint,” she says. “Making this list kind of reminded me of that Naomi Campbell video that’s been memed into oblivion.”

Below, these pros share everything you'll need to survive Miami’s busiest week of the year, including this year’s MVPs—Compeed bandages and Topicals lip balm appear more than once—plus, immune-boosting sprays, aromatherapy cure-alls, and artist Misha Kahn’s ode to a CVS bag.

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Cecilia Alemani. Photography by Liz Ligon and courtesy of High Line Art.

Cecilia Alemani, director and chief curator of High Line Art

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Augusto Arbizoat. Image courtesy of the Beyeler Foundation.

Augusto Arbizo, art advisor with Schwartzman& 

  • Poketle 120S water bottle: “The lines are always long to get water or coffee at art fair cafes or lounges—especially on preview days—so I always have a small drink bottle that fits in a jacket pocket or cross-body bag.”
  • Charmast Mini Power Bank: “One cannot run out of battery! Cordless is best.” 
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Arri Burrows, institutional sales at Goldman Sachs and board member of VIA Art Fund.

Arri Burrows, institutional sales at Goldman Sachs and board member of VIA Art Fund

  • Noise-canceling headphones: “Red-eye flights from New York to London or Los Angeles are barely long enough to get sleep, but it becomes impossible without headphones. Babies crying, conversations, and flight attendants asking if you need anything = no sleep."
  • Kiehl’s Facial Fuel Collection: “Kiehl’s Facial Fuel eye depuffer, face scrub, and face lotion. The Facial Fuel line might be the best on the market—especially the depuffer, which ensures I never look as tired as I may feel.” 
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Eleanor Cayre. Image courtesy of Cayre.

Eleanor Cayre, art advisor and founder of Cayre Art Group

  • NSAIDs, ink, and energy: “I always carry an Alka-Seltzer and a pen to cross off galleries on the map. A battery pack for my phone is a must.”

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Kimberly Drew. Photography by Jo Metson Scott for Chanel.

Kimberly Drew, curatorial director at Pace

  • In the carry-on: “Band-Aids, hand sanitizer, a toothbrush, and lotion in my ‘personal item’ for the commute to and from the airport. For hand sanitizer, I love Aesop, and for lotion, I am obsessed with 54 Thrones. You never know how quickly you’ll need to hit the streets when you land, so I try to make sure I can refresh efficiently.”
  • At the hotel: “I always unpack everything and organize my skin care and makeup as soon as I arrive at my hotel (even if it’s at 1 a.m.). Mornings are so hectic during a fair week that I like to keep things in order to have an easy ‘area of action’ to make sure I hit the ground running. I make sure I have makeup brush cups to organize all my brushes.”
  • In the tub: “I recently started traveling with bath salts just in case there’s a tub. It’s always a roll of the dice, but being able to soak during a hectic trip is the ultimate luxury.”
  • Everywhere: “Finally, I always pack palo santo for both the scent and its cleansing properties. It always centers me. I also keep lavender pouches in my suitcase.”
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Image courtesy of Heather Hubbs.

Heather Hubbs, executive director of NADA

  • Fresh organic lemons: “I drink warm lemon water every morning to help regulate my nervous system and move into the day. I also bring a travel hot water kettle and a simple lemon juicer with me, as most US hotels don't have these in the rooms.”
  • Beekeeper's Naturals Propolis Nasal and Throat Spray: “This stuff is amazing for protecting your immune system while traveling and being around large groups of people.”
  • Aquis hair-drying towel: “Never leave home without it.”
  • Essential oils: “Geranium (to calm the nervous system), rosemary (to relieve mental fatigue and exhaustion) and sitka (revitalizes and restores). I carry these with me and use them based on how the day is going. They seriously help!”
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Image courtesy of Christiana Ine-Kimba Boyle.

Christiana Ine-Kimba Boyle, managing partner and co-owner of Canada gallery

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Image courtesy of Misha Kahn.

Misha Kahn, artist​​​​​​​

  • A plastic bag: “Mainly, I would suggest a plastic bag. These are hard to come by in New York now, so if you're coming from there, maybe just get one at a CVS in Miami when you touch down. The bag is gonna do a lot of heavy lifting for you. It will keep people from asking where you're staying (maybe you’re not staying anywhere) or when you got into town (it gives off the air of having just always been there). In the bag you should put a bottle of water and a swimsuit and maybe a tab of acid cut into fourths. The swimsuit is great, because at nearly every party there’s a pool and usually nobody even gets in, so the bag will be great to put your wet suit in after you break that trend. If your acid doesn’t get soaked from your swimsuit, just a tiny bit can help you process the endless slog of random shapes you’ll encounter in any of the fairs—something minimal! Something graphic! Something figurative! Something abstract! The water comes in handy when you get parched and they only have champagne.”
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Image courtesy of Irene Kim.

Irene Kim, global head of VIP relations and member of the Management Board, Art Basel

  • The Essentials: “What I carry: phone, credit card, YSL lipstick, business cards, and a handful of minty Halls drops!”
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Image courtesy of Dmitry Komis.

Dmitry Komis, director at Marian Goodman

  • A travel steamer: “Depending on how long I’m staying during the week, I typically pack 4 to 5 suits, so one essential I never travel without is a steamer! Suits for ABMB—I like a bit more relaxed fit than usual: Valentino, Dries Van Noten and Lemaire.”
  • Skyn Iceland Hydro Cool Eye Gels and Sulwhasoo First Care Activating sheet masks: “Getting ready in the morning of a fair is always about extra hydration, whether face or eye masks; they force me to slow down and relax, as I don’t like hectic mornings before a fair starts.”
  • Meal plan: “Diet: During the fair it’s always cold brew the first half of the day, a side of protein for lunch, and a glass of champagne after 5 o’clock.”
  • Aquaphor Lip Repair Stick and shades: “I’m never without a lip balm (I love the basics) or a good pair of sunglasses when I’m out and about.”
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Anwarii Musa. Photography by Parker Calvert and courtesy of Musa.

Anwarii Musa, art advisor and founder of ArtMatic

  • A Vespa: “When I have multiple events and meetings during the day, I usually get around on a Vespa to avoid all of the insane traffic that week, especially on VIP day.”
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Image courtesy of Destinee Ross-Sutton.

Destinee Ross-Sutton, founder of Destinee Ross-Sutton and Associates and Ross-Sutton Gallery, and head curator at the Pierce and Hill Harper Art Foundation

  • Noshinku Lavendula hand sanitizer: “The smell is nice, the bottle is thin and fits well into any purse, and it is a bug repellent in a pinch.” 
  • Topicals Slick Salve: “It’s a bit sticky, but I like it. It stays on for hours. I’ve woken up with it mostly still on. Makes my lips so soft.” 
  • One/Size On ‘Til Dawn Setting Spray: “Keeps my skin as oil- and sweat-free as possible, and protects my makeup from anything — even Miami humidity.”
  • Compeed heel patches: “An absolute must-have.” 
  • Yerba mate: “I don't like coffee but need the caffeine to keep going.”
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Hannah Traore. Photography by Jac Harriet and courtesy of Traore.

Hannah Traore, founder Hannah Traore Gallery

  • Miso soup packets: “They give me life. The sodium and bits of protein are so comforting and revive me when I need a pick-me-up. Just add hot water and you’re back to life.”
  • My own silk pillowcase: “It protects my hair and makes me feel like I have a piece of home with me.”
  • Brother Vellies shoes: “I cannot live without my Brother Vellies kitten heels in red and in brown. They are so chic, and I can stand in them for hours.” 
  • Lá Bel Golden Glow: “It’s the only product that keeps my face moisturized on a flight. I can’t fly without it!” 
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Image courtesy of Jasmine Wahi.

Jasmine Wahi, founder and co-director of Project For Empty Space

  • Compression socks: “It used to be ‘spare sneakers for when my feet get tired of heels,’ now it’s 'compression socks because my legs are tired already.’” 
  • An insulin-pump pod: “Before I leave the house I make sure I have at least one extra insulin pump pod in my bag (literally can’t live without them).”
  • Welch’s Fruit Snacks: “I also have a big-ass ziplock of Welch’s fruit snacks (mixed berry flavor) because snackies are fuel. Also, the best way to make new friends is to have snacks on deck.”
  • A water bottle: “Keep a refillable bottle with a tightly closing lid for water. Water is your best friend. Especially when you're walking and talking for hours.” 
  • Tequila: “At the end of the day all I need is Casamigos Añejo, a large glass, and rocks.” 
  • Yoga Toes Toe Stretchers: “Before bed I use Yoga Toes (shoutout to Monique Meloche for putting me on to these) for nights when I do actually put on heels. I like hammer pants, not hammer toes, so every night I wear heels I use these squishy things for about 10 mins to straighten those tootsies out.” 

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