Varun Kaji & Lulu Fong On Navigating The Artsy Scene At Frieze London

Climbing the art world ladder is no easy feat, and yet the stylish duo behind VL Art Advisory certainly make it look easy.

Gallerists, collectors and advisors flocked across the pond this month to celebrate Frieze London's 20th anniversary. Among the aesthete-filled crowd? Serial entrepreneur Varun Kaji, who splits his time between Mumbai and New York, and Lulu Fong, who pops between bases in New York and Hong Kong. The Co-Founders of VL Art Advisory, which offers bespoke advisory services to a high-profile clientele of global notables, are certainly staples when it comes to the fair scene.  

With major museums and galleries hosting a series of exclusive, buzzy events, Varun and Lulu spill the inside scoop on the most outstanding exhibitions and events of the annual affair.

What were you most excited to see during this year’s Frieze London?
LF: "Nicole Eisenman: What Happened" at Whitechapel. It's the irreverent attitude with which Nicole explores socio-political issues that has been a personal solace of mine, in their humor, the works become profound. I was certainly motivated to see works spanning three decades and have a good look at how various mediums engage in an insightful dialogue with one another.
VK: Has to be Ayesha Sultanas's graphite tiles at the Experimenter Booth.

What are your sartorial favorites for getting you through a long day walking through the maze of booths to making the rounds at the after-parties?
LF: Leather is my go-to: Celine, Saint Laurent for outerwear, Ralph Lauren and Chanel for
footwear. Make sure they’re the ones you’ve had for a thousand years and you’ll be comfortable in London’s muggy weather and can spoil yourself with how optimal the tube is.
VK: I like to keep my attire very simple and classic - always opting for a suit/sports coat paired with Brunello Cucinelli or Loro Piana loafers/sneakers.

Speaking of parties, any particular favorite moments from this year?
VK: Starting with the RMZ and Nature Morte lunch at the Arts Club, Hauser and Wirths after at the Groucho Club, the Gucci party, Lisson and Serpentine parties at Chiltern Firehouse, Rocco Ritchies Cocktail at Mister Nice – all of them were buzzing with the right energies and of course always good to socialize and catch up with friends from all over the world.

LF: An impromptu secluded visit of the Philip Guston show with dear friends and colleagues at Frieze. I’m always excited to visit site-specific installations and was delighted to celebrate "El Anatsui: Behind the Red Moon" at Tate Modern, also the last stop of Guston’s retrospective. I indulged myself to spend time with El Anatsui’s monumental textile works, the pieces composed of recycled objects are so powerful against the concrete walls of the Turbine Hall. It was later into the night by the time when we were heading out, but we simply had to ask if it would at all be possible to visit the other exhibition floors. Voilà, up we went. We got to spend time with Guston’s works without Tate's usual crowd, the solitude was remarkable, especially for the 50s abstractions.

What's your secret when it comes to navigating fair days?
VK and LF: Preparation is key- it means digitally, perusing over 100 previews and on-site, keeping an open mind.

LF: Perhaps not the best etiquette, but I get into a tunnel vision until I see all works of interest before catching up with any colleagues or friends. Allocating energy works well for me, so to give the artwork and the person my complete presence. It is applicable after the fair, too— being firm about functions that are the essentials to you, which can mean going to Chiltern Firehouse twice in 48 hours, for your art world alma mater and for a London visionary. I recognize this is a privilege of being a part of a duo, we can cover a lot of grounds.
VK: Going with the flow is my primary strategy, I go into the fair with the right energy and a fully charged battery as I’m sure to be hobnobbing with my social set from all over.