VEUVE CLICQUOT ANNOUNCES LONDON OPENING OF SOLAIRE CULTURE, PICCADILLY CIRCUS
12/05 - 06/06 – Regent Street, London, United Kingdom
Veuve Clicquot announces today the next chapter of the highly successful global exhibition, SOLAIRE CULTURE, which after debuting in Tokyo and Los Angeles in 2022, is travelling to London, to take over Piccadilly Circus from 12th May – 6th June 2023.
The SOLAIRE CULTURE exhibition shines a light on Veuve Clicquot’s 250 years of history. It will take visitors on an immersive journey, through the house’s heritage starting by celebrating Madame Clicquot, one of the world’s first female entrepreneurs who took over the reins of the house in 1805 to the modern-day champagne house that is bold and optimistic. Through the lens of an audacious female-only team, Veuve Clicquot has established a dialogue between its legacy and the contemporary vision of the curator, Camille Morineau, and designer Constance Guisset to bring SOLAIRE CULTURE to life, and features artists including the iconic Yayoi Kusama and the UK’s Cece Philips and Rosie McGuinness.
“This exhibition is an unprecedented event for Veuve Clicquot and the symbol of our capacity to dream big and constantly innovate. Now we travel to the United Kingdom, our third global destination, to bring the exhibition to life in London, a true melting pot of culture and creativity. We will highlight the House’s innovation and craft, the life of Madame Clicquot, our iconic Yellow label and the many works produced for Veuve Clicquot in the 20th century by artists such as Yayoi Kusama.”
Jean-Marc Gallot, President and CEO of Veuve Clicquot
SOLAIRE CULTURE opens the doors to some of Veuve Clicquot’s most outstanding historical gems and highlights the story of the iconic yellow label created specifically for the British Champagne drinker. From a portrait of Madame Clicquot reinterpreted by world-renowned artist Yayoi Kusama to 20 remarkable historical documents including a letter signed by Madame Clicquot and an original bottle of Veuve Clicquot from the 1840’s (an epic discovery in the Baltic Sea following a shipwreck), the exhibit will dive into the cultural footprint of Veuve Clicquot, showcasing the creation of one of the most desired luxury Champagne brands in the world and its audacious female founder.
To showcase Veuve Clicquot’s heritage of female entrepreneurship in a contemporary form, and as a tribute to Madame Clicquot’s audacity, Curator Camille Morineau has brought 9 bold and renowned female artists together for the first time, including Yayoi Kusama, Sheila Hicks and manga artist Moyoco Anno. They were given carte blanche and delivered an original artwork inspired by Madame Clicquot and her inventions, or the emotional power of the sun, as a tribute to the House’s iconic Yellow label, copyrighted in 1877 and now the emblem of the House.
Since 1972, Veuve Clicquot has shown commitment to women and female entrepreneurs all over the world, even more notably through BOLD by Veuve Clicquot, an international program to increase women entrepreneurs’ visibility. This celebration of Veuve Clicquot’s commitment to championing and supporting bold, audacious women continues through the duration of the exhibition with a dynamic programme of cultural events and a new BOLD room within the exhibition space, which has been created especially for London.
“We are very proud to announce an exhibition curated entirely by women, led by Camille Morineau and Constance Guisset, and solely featuring internationally renowned women artists. Madame Clicquot showed us the way; guided by her, the House is committed to supporting bold and creative women who forge a path for generations to come.”
Carole Bildé, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer
At the end of the tour, visitors will have the opportunity to take home souvenirs from the Solaire Culture exhibition or some of Veuve Clicquot’s collectible items, including the exclusive Solaire Culture edition of the personalised Ice Jacket, the iconic bicycle and Pantone mug, coffee table books, premium umbrellas, as well the new collection of THE ICONS. Veuve Clicquot’s newest La Grande Dame 2015, in collaboration with designer, Paola Paronetto, will also be displayed within the boutique and available to purchase.
Additionally, after achieving cult popularity during its pop-up in Soho London in 2022, The Sunny Side Up Café will be returning, offering a delicious menu, curated in partnership with Andi Oliver, playfully drawing inspiration from Veuve Clicquot’s Yellow Label and Andi’s much-loved Caribbean family flavours.
Marking the Champagne House’s 250th anniversary in London, “SOLAIRE CULTURE” debuts in London at Piccadilly Circus, on 12th May, 2023, and will run through 6th June, 2023. Tickets are available to book here
