Perrier-Jouët Unveils Iris Van Herpen Belle Époque 2018
The Incredibly Elegant Bottle
A champagne bottle presents a rather different challenge from a dress, although Dutch couturier Iris van Herpen has brought a recognisable approach to both in her latest collaboration with Perrier-Jouët. Known for sculptural designs that draw on the natural world, she has reinterpreted the house’s familiar anemone motif for a limited edition of Belle Époque 2018, alongside two more elaborate pieces featuring older vintages.
The collection forms the centrepiece of Perrier-Jouët’s returning ‘House of Wonder’ pop-ups at Paris Charles de Gaulle and Miami International airports. The Paris installation opened on 6 October and runs until 9 November 2026 in Terminal 2E. Miami follows from 30 November to 27 December in the North Terminal, at Gates D37–38, with the opening timed to coincide with Design Miami.
For travellers, the most accessible expression of the collaboration is the limited edition Belle Époque 2018. Van Herpen has designed both the bottle and its presentation box, extending the floral imagery that has long distinguished the cuvée.
Her involvement also reaches into the champagne itself. Working with cellar master Séverine Frerson, she contributed to a bespoke liqueur de dosage for this edition. The blend comprises 50% Chardonnay, 45% Pinot Noir and 5% Meunier.
Perrier-Jouët describes the resulting champagne in terms of carnation, lime blossom and jasmine, with fruit recalling apricot and vineyard peach.
From Vineyard to Sculpture
Van Herpen’s starting point was a visit to the Perrier-Jouët vineyards. According to the house, her research included recordings of sound waves associated with organisms in the vineyard soils. Graphic interpretations of those recordings informed the shapes and patterns used across the collection.
The most ambitious result is Symphonic Bloom, a singular work combining silk and 22 carat gold plating around a jeroboam of Belle Époque 1988. Described as a sculptural dress for the bottle, it brings van Herpen’s fashion work directly into the presentation of the champagne. It will appear at the Paris installation for a limited period.
A related piece, Symphonic Life, surrounds a magnum of Belle Époque 2007 with a gold plated sculpture. Just ten examples have been produced, to be offered to members of Le Cercle.
The three formats give the project a broad range, from a bottle intended to be bought and opened to rare objects whose appeal rests as much on the artist’s work as on the vintage within.
The airport installations place the collection within a bar setting dominated by a large Japanese anemone, Perrier-Jouët’s signature flower. Brand ambassadors will introduce travellers to the champagnes, with Belle Époque, Grand Brut and Blanc de Blancs among the wines featured.
The connection between art and nature is well established at Perrier-Jouët. Founded in 1811 by Pierre-Nicolas Perrier and Rose-Adélaïde Jouët, the house has made Chardonnay central to its style and Art Nouveau central to its visual identity. Van Herpen’s designs provide a contemporary interpretation of those interests.
The limited edition Belle Époque 2018 will be available to buy during both pop-ups.
