In 1902, when Emile Gallé sketched the Japanese anemones for the Belle Epoque Bottle, he was not only expressing his passion for plants and flowers but his deep admiration for Japanese art and culture in which the love of nature is intrinsic.

The renowned Japanese floral artist, Makoto Azuma continues in this tradition while injecting it with a contemporary inventiveness. Now, for the first time in its history, Perrier-Jouët has entrusted an artist with the job of re-interpreting its iconic Belle Epoque Champagne Bottle.

In the misty silence of his studio, Makoto Azuma surrounded himself with white Japanese flowers and foliage "to pay tribute to Emile Gallé's anemones" and to create a universe in the Perrier-Jouët palette of colours.

Only five Japanese flowers and plants were selected by Makoto Azuma to highlight the inherent beauty of the Japanese anemone. “Just as Gallé drew Japanese white anemone, I wanted to use these Japanese flowers and leaves to create my work, in dedication and in tribute to Gallé.”

FLOWERS
This modern arrangement is composed of the iconic Japanese anemone embellished by four main flowers and plants.
1.Japanese white anemone In Chinese character, Japanese white anemone reads as "Peony in autumn".
2.Stemona japonica The flower expands into the space very humbly.
3.Japanese Meadowsweet The flower language is expressed as idleness, transience, evanescence.
4.Japanese Knotweed The flower language of the Japanse Knotweed is "lovely" and "caring".
5.Clematis In flower language it means "nobility" and "beautiful heart"

The artist used a three-dimensional frame in which he was able to suspend the flowers. "The frame enabled me to express a contemporary vision of beauty by showcasing the anemones drawn by Émile Gallé in a modern way".

Echoing Émile Gallé's original drawing, Makoto Azuma has created a delicate composition, an ethereal arabesque punctuated by white Japanese anemones symbolising truth and sincerity and to which the artist lends "fragility and transparency". A composition which has been subtly re-interpreted on the Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque Florale Edition Champagne Bottle where stylised gold flowers and foliage delicately intertwine with the glittering lines of Émile Gallé’s white anemones.

MAKOTO AZUMA

Makoto Azuma had been interested in floral art for many years and in 2002 he opened a floral arrangement haute couture workshop in Tokyo before extending his activities overseas in 2005. He reveals the unique, noble and mysterious nature of plants and works with them in an " haute couture" manner elevating his floral arrangements to veritable works of art. This is his vision and his creations blossom in exhibitions, events and performances throughout the world.