Louis Vuitton to Throw Bye-Bye—Buy-Buy?—Bash for Richard Prince

To celebrate the closing of artist Richard Prince’s “Spiritual America” exhibit at the Guggenheim next Tuesday, Louis Vuitton will host a farewell fete that night. According to WWD, models bedecked in nurses’ outfits designed by the French fashion label will wander around the party space.

But it’s not the lovely ladies’ medical-minded fantasy costumes that will attract the most attention. Instead of mini crab cakes and blinis, the models will be toting the new, limited-edition handbags Mr. Prince designed—in collaboration with Louis Vuitton creative director Marc Jacobs—for the haute impedimenta maker. (Mr. Prince reportedly also came up with the concept for L.V.’s Spring-Summer 2008 campaign.) The purses, which are expected to be the most sought-after handbags since “consumers ever uttered the name Murakami," officially go on sale February 1. Guests at the party, however, will have the chance to preorder at the event.