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.
Cecilia Alemani, director and chief curator of High Line Art
- LaBello Med Repair lip balm: “I always carry my favorite lip balm, which I buy in Europe. I could not live without it. Not fancy, but a very good product, which I find so much better than most US lip balms.”
- Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask: “After so much talking (and kissing) a lip mask by Laneige.”
- Sulwhasoo UV Daily Cream: “Mandatory.”
- Ayrloom Up Orchard Sunrise Apple Gummies: “My favorite gummies to breeze through the fair with a big smile come from Gotham Dispensary. I love this one.”
- Amass Four Thieves Spray Hand Sanitizer: “Lots of hand sanitizer! I particularly love this one, which is spicy and refreshing and keeps people away.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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!”
Christiana Ine-Kimba Boyle, managing partner and co-owner of Canada gallery
- Moon Juice Super Power and Super You supplements: “A daily vitamin-packed cocktail to keep my energy and immune system in tip-top shape during long days and nights. It’s a lifesaver for staying sharp from beginning to end.”
- Sakara Life Detox Water Drops: “Add these to your water, and voilà—hydration galore. Plus, they help me detoxify after a champagne-fueled night.”
- Byredo Rose of No Man’s Land Hand Cleanser: “A chic essential for keeping my hands fresh and germ-free, with an elegant, refreshing scent.”
- Phlur's Heavy Cream with Jo Malone's Mimosa and Cardamom: “No questions, just pair and prepare to be showered with compliments."
- Topicals Slick Salve: “A must-have for soothing and hydrating my lips on the booth, not tacky and don’t have to reapply often.”
- Byredo Liquid Lipstick in Matte Red Coma: “This is my signature lippie—it instantly elevates any look, even when I’m running on fumes.”
- NEOM Organics London Perfect Night's Sleep Magnesium Body Butter: “My go-to for ensuring a peaceful night’s sleep, even after an eventful day.”
- Ouai Chill Pills bath bombs: “The ultimate indulgence for easing my tension after a long day on my feet.”
- Biodance Bio-Collagen Real Deep Mask: “When I need a serious skin pick-me-up, this ultra-hydrating mask works miracles––refreshed, plumped, and glowing before big events.”
- Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream: “The Rolls-Royce of moisturizers—it’s worth every penny, pinky swear.”
- Vintner’s Daughter Active Botanical Serum: “An evening ritual to revive my skin, ensuring it’s glowing by morning.”
- Black Girl Sunscreen: “A lightweight, ultra-moisturizing sunscreen that blends seamlessly without a white cast. It's my go-to for protecting my skin under Miami’s bright sun while staying photo-ready.”
- Dr. Dennis Gross DRx SpectraLite FaceWare Pro: “This LED mask is my ultimate flex—it's also maybe a little terrifying... but just three minutes of red and blue light therapy and I’m ready to take on the world (or Miami at least).”
- Compeed Blister Cushions: “A must for preventing and treating my blisters during long days.”
- Margaret Dabbs London Foot Soak: “A luxurious soak with emu oil to refresh and hydrate my soles after endless walking and standing.”
- Gucci Horsebit monogram slingbacks: “A backup for my heels, combining style and comfort without compromise.”
- Ettitude Sateen Travel Sheet: “This silky reusable bamboo travel sheet set turns even a questionable Airbnb into a five-star experience.”
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.”
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!”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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!”
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.”
