A tribute to joy & optimism
Veuve Clicquot and Simon Porte Jacquemus, French designer and founder of the eponymous brand, are pleased to unveil a poetic and joyful reinterpretation of La Grande Dame 2018, the Maison’s prestige cuvée, as a limited edition. Exuding sunlit optimism while honouring the beauty of artisanal tradition, a standout design is signed by Simon Porte Jacquemus as an artistic expression with a crafted touch.
The collaboration unites two creative universes illuminated by the joy that is deeply rooted in their respective identities. The emblematic Veuve Clicquot yellow, first introduced in 1877, radiates the colour of the sun, while Simon Porte Jacquemus remains eternally inspired by his solar Southern French roots.
Present throughout this collaboration, the iconic yellow of Veuve Clicquot plays a role both visually and symbolically. Here, Simon’s favourite colour illuminates the drape, like a ray of sun that rises from linen. Yellow, a symbol of joy, also blends with silver and natural tones, adding both warmth and modernity.
At the heart of the collaboration is a shared homage to women. The story of Madame Clicquot, an exceptional woman who boldly took the reins of the House in 1805 when women had few rights – and was named ‘la grande dame de la Champagne’ after her death -captivated Simon, whose mother is his forever muse and who conveys the strength and sensuality of women through his designs.
This limited edition is instantly recognisable for its handwritten logo and signature by Simon on an irregularly edged yellow label embossed with sun rays. The bottle is draped with white linen evoking the timeless elegance of family heirlooms that have been carefully washed, sun-dried, and starched with Marseille soap. This white linen is also a reference to an old Italian method used to keep bottles cool: a cloth is soaked in water and then wrapped around the flask to maintain its chill during hot summer days. The fluid calligraphy in yellow embroidery suggests a surreal, almost living presence, as though gently written by hand.
«La Grande Dame 2018 is the outcome of simple materials, meaningful gestures, and strong women’s stories, yet it is ultimately a celebration of – and for – optimistic and memorable moments,» adds Simon. «From the bright and joyful spirit to the excellence in savoir-faire, I admire and share the same values as Veuve Clicquot.»
Bridging the codes of couture and champagne, the gift box is sheathed in a «toile du Marais» fabric with sun rays and a ribbon alternating the Veuve Clicquot logo and Simon’s signature. It reflects Simon’s innate love of objects and his belief in the poetry of everyday life.
Masterpiece «Le Rafraichissoir», a fresh take on champagne service
A custom rafraîchissoir (cooler) extends his eye for sculpture into functional design. Simon revisits the At Home Champagne Ritual by breathing new life into the rafraîchissoir, an object rooted in the refined culture of the 18th century, which has left an indelible mark on the history of Maison Veuve Clicquot. True to his aesthetic, he infuses it, and more generally the idea of the traditional champagne service, with imaginative yet subtle details.
Inspired by Medici vases, the design composed of a champagne bucket and a glass cooler (which can be used together or separately), also incorporates personal references such as the rounded square handles and a fish trompe l’oeil that nods to Simon’s Mediterranean roots. Upholding the savoir-faire of metalsmithing, he collaborated on the design with Camille Orfèvre, recipient of the prestigious ‘Meilleur Ouvrier de France’ award, which recognizes exceptional craftsmanship. With an atelier in the Marais, the master artisan remains one of the last orfèvres (metalsmiths) in Paris and possesses an EPV (Company of Living Heritage) label. The silverware pieces are crafted from silver‑plated metal, meticulously worked for over 40 hours, spread across several non‑compressible weeks, using the traditional techniques of haute orfèvrerie. Each stage is performed by hand, and the creation of each piece involves up to seven distinct crafts: repousser, polisher, engraver, enameller, silver‑plater, cabinet‑maker, and silversmith. This reflects the precision and richness of the French silversmithing tradition.
A limited edition that is manufactured only on request, customizable and limited to 50 pieces. Le Rafraîchissoir also includes a glass set and a flight of exceptional vintages of La Grande Dame: 2018, 2012 in Magnum and 1990, Simon’s birth year, in Jeroboam. This selection of vintages and bottle formats offers a unique journey into how time and bottle size impact the aromatic evolution of wine.
«Beyond fashion, I have all these obsessions around design and contemporary art,» says Simon. «For Veuve Clicquot, I envisioned how people would feel the warmth, craft, and emotion in the appearance of this fine La Grande Dame 2018 vintage.»
La Grande Dame 2018, a deep and precise vintage
La Grande Dame 2018, 25th vintage of the cuvée launched in 1972, is the expression of a centuries-old craftsmanship and an unprecedented year, offering a maturity of grapes close to perfection.
For more than two centuries, Veuve Clicquot has cultivated ‘L’Art du Pinot Noir’ according to Madame Clicquot’s vision. Madame Clicquot used to describe this delicate grape variety as «the only one capable of producing wines of unmatched finesse and freshness.»
Under the expertise of the Cellar Master, La Grande Dame 2018 embodies a perfect mastery of aging in the service of the Art of Pinot Noir. It is a wine with a solaire soul. Its color is bright and luminous. Its deep and precise style is characterized by subtle finesse and freshness, expressed through its salinity.
La Grande Dame 2018 offers the sensation of an ideal balance, with perfect harmony and intensity for this vintage.
Julia and Emma Roberts at the launch party during New York Fashion Week (Photo: via Vogue)
A joyful celebration
To reveal this unprecedented collaboration, Veuve Clicquot and Simon Porte Jacquemus have conceived an unveiling during the opening of New York Fashion Week.
An advertising campaign, imagining a poetic and joyful journey between Reims, the historic city of Veuve Clicquot, and the South of France, home of Simon Porte Jacquemus, has been directed by Jonas Lindstroem with photos by Jack Davison.
Following the US launch on September 9th, the collaboration will then roll out in UK, Italy and France in September / October 2025.
Recommended selling price for la Grande Dame 2018 by Simon Porte Jacquemus: €220.
Le Rafraîchissoir: Price upon request.
LoL, Sandra
Photos: © Veuve Clicquot
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Manolo and Kristina Blahnik photographed by Jack Davison for the Birkenstock S/S 2020 campaign.
