How does one pay homage to the heritage and craftsmanship of one of the world’s most refined luxury champagne brands, referencing the past, but also challenging aesthetic boundaries and generating enough visual impact to create something that is genuinely new and exciting? That was the formidable challenge facing floral artist extraordinaire Makoto Azuma, owner of Tokyo flower shop Jardins des Fleurs, when he was approached by the prestigious 200-year-old champagne house Perrier-Jouët to design the first ever limited-edition bottle for its Belle Époque prestige cuvée champagne.
The first designed Limited Edition of cuvee Belle Epoque, since the creation of its iconic anemones by Emile Gallé in 1902 was originally inspired by Japanese art culture, and has become the iconic image of Perrier-Jouët artistic heritage through its prestige cuvee. Challenging the aesthetic boundaries, Makoto Azuma created a unique combined artwork, made of a single delicate botanical arabesque dotted with white Japanese anemones. These recall the original 1902 design, which is further reinforced with a handcrafted motif of golden flowers on the bottle of Belle Epoque 2004, carefully selected by Cellar Master Hervé Deschamps.
The artist explains: “I wanted to make something extraordinary, taking inspiration from the sensation of champagne inside the mouth, and the delicate movement of the ivy and leaves with a special attention and tribute given to Emile Gallé’s anemones”.
Commissioning Japanese artist Makoto Azuma came as a natural choice for Perrier-Jouët; Emile Gallé chose white Japanese anemones for its original design in 1902 because of his passion for botany but also his admiration for Japanese art that draws inspiration from the primal force of nature, the true spirit of the Art Nouveau movement.
Lionel Breton, Chairman & CEO Martell Mumm Perrier-Jouët explained: “Makoto Azuma and Perrier-Jouët share the same values of tradition, passion for Nature, and genuine originality and we are delighted to have found in M. Azuma the Emile Gallé of modern times through his unique creation”
From the specific choice of flowers, to the endless series of adjustments and motif on the bottle itself, Belle Epoque Florale Edition perfectly expresses the luxurious and craftsmanship cues of Perrier-Jouët, whilst delivering a contemporary vision of beauty.
Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque Florale Edition will be available only in very limited quantities worldwide from September onwards, in the most exclusive outlets in Perrier-Jouët main distribution markets at an average RSP of 300 euros.