Two solar signatures united around La Grande Dame 2018
Veuve Clicquot and Simon Porte Jacquemus have joined forces to create La Grande Dame 2018, the prestige cuvée of the Champagne House. This collaboration goes beyond simply dressing a bottle: it envisions a true ritual, a fusion of fashion, goldsmithing, design, and theFrench art of living.
On one side, the sunny yellow of Veuve Clicquot, its Reims heritage and its historical mastery of Pinot Noir. On the other, the sensual minimalism of Jacquemus, its Mediterranean memories, its taste for natural materials and its ability to transform everyday objects into desirable images.
The result takes the form of a bottle draped in white linen, a textile box, and a spectacular piece of silverware called Le Rafraîchissoir (The Refresher). This offering perfectly illustrates the evolution of contemporary luxury: the product simultaneously becomes object, gesture, decoration, and experience.
The association between Veuve Clicquot and Jacquemus is based first and foremost on a visual connection. Both Houses have placed the sun at the heart of their brand language.
At Veuve Clicquot, it is expressed through the House's emblematic yellow, registered on a label as early as 1877, but also through a philosophy founded on optimism, audacity, and movement. At Jacquemus, it evokes Provence, the landscapes of the South, al fresco dining, fabrics drying in the breeze, and a deliberately simple sensuality.
This close relationship allows the collaboration to avoid the pitfalls of simple co-branding. Jacquemus doesn't just put its name on a box: it interprets the values of the Champagne House through its own vocabulary.
Thelimited edition La Grande Dame 2018 by Simon Porte Jacquemus thus becomes the meeting point of two complementary territories:
- the heritage and oenological precision of Veuve Clicquot;
- Mediterranean minimalism and the everyday poetry of Jacquemus;
- the excellence of French crafts;
- a contemporary vision of champagne service.
This approach is part of a broader experiential luxury, already perceptible in the way Veuve Clicquot transforms champagne into a summer experience.
A bottle of champagne draped in white linen
Simon Porte Jacquemus' first action was to wrap the bottle in white linen, embroidered with yellow calligraphy.
The choice of this material is not insignificant. Linen evokes summer lunch tablecloths, southern clothing, natural light, and understated elegance. It also creates an immediately recognizable contrast with Veuve Clicquot's historic yellow.
The House explains that this wrapping references an old Italian method of cooling. A damp cloth was wrapped around the bottle to keep it cool on hot days. The fabric is therefore not merely decorative: it evokes an ancient, functional practice, transformed here into a couture detail.
This subtle reference is characteristic of Jacquemus' approach. The designer starts with a familiar object or habit, then shifts its proportions, material, or context to create an image of luxury.
A box covered in "Marais canvas"
The bottle is presented in a box covered with Marais fabric, extending the textile work undertaken around the bottle.
A ribbon alternates between the Veuve Clicquot logo and Simon Porte Jacquemus's handwritten signature. This element functions as a symbolic seam between the two Houses: it links the heritage identity of champagne to the personality of the creator.
The deliberately irregular yellow label reinforces this impression of handcrafted work. It retains a fundamental marker of Veuve Clicquot while introducing a form of controlled imperfection, more intimate and artisanal.
The packaging thus produces several levels of interpretation. It protects the champagne, recounts an ancient custom, evokes the Mediterranean wardrobe and transforms the bottle into a collector's item.
The Refresher, a manifesto of French goldsmithing
The most spectacular piece of the collaboration, however, is not the bottle. Simon Porte Jacquemus also designed Le Rafraîchissoir, a sculptural object conceived to renew the way champagne is presented and served.
Inspired by the proportions of Medici vases, its silhouette evokes historic gardens, the terraces of French mansions, and the decorative arts of the 18th century. Jacquemus, however, simplifies the lines to produce a more contemporary, instantly recognizable object.
The project is being developed in collaboration with Camille Orfèvre, master craftsman and Meilleur Ouvrier de France (Best Craftsman of France). The silver-plated metal elements are crafted using traditional techniques of fine goldsmithing. Each piece requires over 40 hours of work.
The Refresher is available by special order only. It is customizable and limited to 50 units, each accompanied by an exclusive vertical tasting of La Grande Dame.
| Characteristic | Detail |
|---|---|
| Name of the room | The Refresher |
| Creator | Simon Porte Jacquemus |
| Associate craftsman | Camille Orfèvre |
| Inspiration | Medici vases and historical coolers |
| Main material | Silver-plated metal |
| Manufacturing time | More than 40 hours |
| Production | 50 customizable copies |
| Function | Refreshing, presenting and showcasing champagne |
When the service object becomes as desirable as the product
In the world of champagne, accessories have long played a secondary role. Buckets, bowls, tongs and glasses accompanied the tasting without necessarily becoming the protagonists of the story.
The Refresher reverses this hierarchy. It becomes a manifesto object, capable of concentrating in itself the values of collaboration: monumentality, formal simplicity, know-how and staging of everyday life.
Champagne is no longer presented solely in a prestigious bottle. It has become part of a complete ritual, designed for hospitality, the table, and photography. This dimension explains, in particular, the relevance of a highly selective distribution, with some pieces having been unveiled in major international department stores such as Harrods.
La Grande Dame 2018: Pinot Noir at the heart of the vintage
Behind the Jacquemus-designed label lies a great Champagne. La Grande Dame 2018 is the 25th vintage of this prestige cuvée, created by Veuve Clicquot in 1972 to celebrate the House's bicentenary. Its blend is composed of:
- 90% Pinot Noir ;
- 10% Chardonnay ;
- a gross dosage of 6 grams per liter.
The choice of such a high proportion of Pinot Noir affirms La Grande Dame's winemaking philosophy. The grape variety brings structure, depth, and precision, while the Chardonnay contributes texture, freshness, and salinity to the overall wine. The cuvée is crafted from grapes sourced from eight of the House's historic Grand Cru vineyards. The 2018 vintage, marked by a rainy winter followed by a long, hot, and sunny summer, resulted in a generous harvest and exceptionally ripe grapes.
The main features of La Grande Dame 2018
| Element | The Grand Dame 2018 |
|---|---|
| Kind | Vintage Brut Champagne |
| Vintage | 2018 |
| Pinot Noir | 90 % |
| Chardonnay | 10 % |
| Miller | 0 % |
| Dosage | 6 g/l |
| Serving temperature | 10 to 12 °C |
| Announced aging potential | More than 15 years |
| Style | Deep, precise, fresh and saline |
What are the tasting notes for La Grande Dame 2018?
The 2018 La Grande Dame boasts a brilliant and luminous robe. The nose combines floral and mineral notes with aromas of white fruit, honey, almond, and candied citrus. Hints of lemon, lime, and yuzu enhance the sensation of freshness. On the palate, the texture is precise, taut, and persistent, with a saline finish that structures the wine and prolongs the tasting experience.
The cuvée expresses a sun-drenched maturity without sacrificing the verticality expected of a great champagne. This duality is one of the most interesting aspects of the vintage: the generosity of 2018 remains restrained by a fresh and precise structure.
Which food pairings should be favored?
The 2018 Grande Dame pairs well with refined cuisine, lightly sauced and attentive to textures. Its balance between depth and salinity allows it to complement:
- a scallop carpaccio;
- oysters or shellfish;
- a roasted white fish;
- linguine with lemon;
- spring vegetables;
- poultry accompanied by fresh herbs.
These pairings align with Veuve Clicquot 's Garden Gastronomy philosophy : a cuisine that is easy to understand, focused on the ripeness of the produce and the freshness of the ingredients. Readers wishing to explore this aspect further can also consult Luxe Daily's gastronomy section , dedicated to chefs, restaurants, and new expressions of the art of living.
Why is La Grande Dame paying tribute to Madame Clicquot?
The Grande Dame carries the legacy of Barbe-Nicole Clicquot Ponsardin, a founding figure in the modern history of the House.
Born in 1777, she took over the family business in 1805, at just 27 years old, after the death of her husband. She quickly developed the House's international markets and contributed to several major innovations in Champagne. In 1810, she marketed one of the first vintage Champagnes. In 1816, she developed the riddling rack, used to clarify wines. She also played a key role in the development of blended rosé Champagne.
Nicknamed "the grand lady of Champagne", she became an embodiment of independence, audacity and entrepreneurial excellence.
The vintage created in 1972 therefore carries a dimension that goes beyond the purely oenological realm. It celebrates a woman who transformed the techniques, image, and international distribution of champagne.
A dialogue between the memory of Madame Clicquot and that of Jacquemus
The choice of Simon Porte Jacquemus adds a personal dimension to this tribute. The designer built his fashion house around family memories and, more specifically, the figure of his mother. The name Jacquemus itself is taken from his maiden name. His work is regularly imbued with memory, the landscapes of the South, and domestic gestures.
The encounter with La Grande Dame can thus be interpreted as a dialogue between two stories of transmission. Madame Clicquot represents the entrepreneurial and visionary legacy of Veuve Clicquot. Simon Porte Jacquemus's mother, for her part, cultivates a body of work rooted in intimacy and memory.
This narrative depth prevents the collaboration from being reduced to a mere image-making operation. It allows for the connection of two feminine heritages, two relationships to creation, and two forms of freedom.
To explore the designer's universe more broadly, Luxe Daily gathers its analyses and news on the page dedicated to Jacquemus.
"The Picnic on the Water": a launch in New York
The collaboration was staged in New York around a private event held at the Central Park Boathouse. Entitled "The Picnic on the Water", the experience brought together several elements characteristic of both Houses: sunlight, outdoor dining, boats on the lake, textile details and champagne service.
The public activation took place from September 10 to 14, 2025 on the lake in Central Park. It coincided with the launch of New York Fashion Week, scheduled from September 11 to 16, 2025.
This close alignment with the fashion calendar allowed Veuve Clicquot to present La Grande Dame 2018 beyond the traditional wine world. The vintage entered a broader cultural conversation, involving designers, celebrities, media, gastronomy, and the art of living.
Guests included Simon Porte Jacquemus, Julia Roberts, Charlotte Le Bon, Emma Roberts, Solange Knowles and Imaan Hammam.
From private event to public experience
The initiative didn't end with the launch dinner. For several days, the public could discover the world of collaboration through private boat trips and various activations around Central Park.
This extension is strategic. It allows us to maintain the appeal of an exclusive event while offering a form of access to a wider audience.
Veuve Clicquot thus applies one of the most important principles of contemporary luxury: opening a window onto the House without trivializing the product.
Why is the Veuve Clicquot x Jacquemus collaboration strategic?
It goes beyond simple packaging
Many luxury collaborations essentially revolve around a change of color, a new logo, or a limited-edition series of gift sets. Here, the project operates on several levels:
- visual identity of the bottle;
- choice of materials;
- historical account;
- creation of a piece of goldsmithing;
- reinvention of service;
- launch event;
- experience accessible to the public.
This consistency makes it possible to build a true territory of collaboration, rather than an isolated product.
She brings fashion and gastronomy closer together
The boundaries between the luxury sectors are becoming more porous. Fashion designers are now imagining hotels, cafes, household items, pastries, or travel experiences.
Conversely, Champagne Houses are adopting the logic of fashion: limited editions, guest artistic directors, event launches and collector's items.
Veuve Clicquot x Jacquemus illustrates this hybridization between fashion and lifestyle. Champagne is part of a complete universe encompassing tableware, textiles, design, and scenography.
This strategy can be compared to other collaborations and transformations analyzed in the fashion section of Luxe Daily.
It promotes the arts and crafts
Using a master goldsmith and traditional methods makes the human hand behind the luxury visible.
In a market saturated with digital content and rapid launches, production time becomes a value proposition. The 40 hours of work required for each Refresher are not merely a technical detail: they express rarity, patience, and the passing down of knowledge.
She turns service into a show
In the luxury sector, perceived value depends as much on the product itself as on how it is presented. The champagne cooler creates a theatrical effect. It frames the bottle, structures the act of serving, and gives the champagne an architectural presence. It can become the centerpiece of a table, a living room, or a reception.
The object also promotes the circulation of images. Its silhouette, material, and proportions are designed to be immediately identifiable, particularly on social media.
An iconic collaboration of the new French luxury
The collaboration between Veuve Clicquot and Jacquemus reveals a profound evolution in the sector. French luxury is no longer based solely on the possession of an exceptional object. It is built around several complementary dimensions:
- the origin and history;
- the quality of the materials;
- artisanal know-how;
- aesthetic coherence;
- emotion;
- the staging;
- the ability to create a memory.
The 2018 Grande Dame brings together precisely these elements. The wine lends the depth of terroir and time. The linen introduces the gentleness of an everyday gesture. The goldsmithing affirms rarity. The New York launch gives the whole a cultural and international reach.
By associating a House founded in 1772 with a designer who launched his brand in 2009, the collaboration also demonstrates that heritage and modernity are not incompatible. The former becomes a creative resource for the latter, while the designer's contemporary vision renews the interpretation of the legacy. To stay up-to-date on the House's latest news, collections, and initiatives, visit the Veuve Clicquot page on Luxe Daily.
Frequently Asked Questions about Veuve Clicquot x Jacquemus
What is La Grande Dame 2018 by Simon Porte Jacquemus?
This is a limited edition of the prestige vintage La Grande Dame 2018. Simon Porte Jacquemus designed its white linen packaging, its label with irregular contours, its textile box and an associated silverware cooler.
What is the composition of La Grande Dame 2018?
The blend is composed of 90% Pinot Noir and 10% Chardonnay, with a Brut dosage of 6 grams per liter.
Why is the bottle wrapped in linen?
Linen refers to an old method of wrapping a bottle in damp cloth to keep it cool on hot days. Jacquemus transforms this practical gesture into a couture detail.
How many copies of the Refresher were produced?
The Refresher is limited to 50 copies, made to order and customizable.
Who manufactured Le Rafraîchissoir?
The piece was designed by Simon Porte Jacquemus and made with Camille Orfèvre, master craftsman and Meilleur Ouvrier de France (Best Craftsman of France).
When was the collaboration unveiled in New York?
The collaboration was celebrated at the Central Park Boathouse in September 2025. The public experience "The Picnic on the Water" was held from September 10 to 14.
Can the Grande Dame 2018 be preserved?
Veuve Clicquot announces an aging potential of over 15 years, subject to proper storage at a stable temperature and away from light.
Official French sources
- Veuve Clicquot – The Grande Dame 2018 by Simon Porte Jacquemus
- Veuve Clicquot – Official Fact Sheet for La Grande Dame 2018 by Simon Porte Jacquemus
- LVMH – Veuve Clicquot unveils La Grande Dame 2018
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