Perrier-Jouët champagne House recently made history in Japan, through the international unveiling of Belle Epoque Florale Edition by Makoto Azuma—the first Limited Edition design of cuvée Belle Epoque, since the creation of its iconic anemones by Emile Gallé in 1902. Perrier-Jouët is the most exclusive luxurious House of Champagne, crafting wine since 1811.
Creator Makoto Azuma, a renowned Japanese floral artist, earnestly dedicated himself to the bottle’s design with a reverential homage to the famous Emile Gallé Nouveau original. Initially inspired by the culture of Japanese art, the original design has become an iconic image for the artistic heritage Perrier-Jouët attaches to its prestige cuvée. Challenging the aesthetic boundaries, Makoto Azuma created an extremely unique work, made of a single delicate botanical arabesque dotted with white Japanese anemones. This recalls the first design further with the handcrafted motif of golden flowers on the bottle of Belle Epoque 2004, carefully selected by Cellar Master Hervé Deschamps.
Azuma 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.”
The unique Limited Edition was revealed as part of a very exclusive international event attended by over 150 media and VIP guests, at the most beautiful and traditional Japanese Happoen-garden in the heart of Tokyo city. Guests enjoyed an elegant and imaginative exhibition, which creatively told the story of both Emile Gallé and Makoto Azuma in a delightfully contemporary way. Amongst the stars attending the event were local Japanese celebrities such as actress Miki Maya, top model Ai Tominaga, Music producer Verbal, and musician Tomoyasu Hotei, as well as other international VIPs including Chinese Haute-Couture designer Wendy Yip and Hong-Kong Fashion Designer Dorian Ho, socialite Kennis Tai and actress Isabel Leung.
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—characterized by its love for nature and 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 luxury and craftsmanship of Perrier-Jouët, while continuing to deliver a contemporary vision of beauty.
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