Guerlain x Kevin Germanier: Swarovski crystals meet porcelain for Orchidée Impériale

Just 15 numbered and signed pieces are available in fashion designer Kevin Germanier’s latest collaboration for LVMH-owned beauty brand Guerlain. For Orchidée Impériale Black The Cream by Kevin Germanier 2023, the designer conceived a couture creation that leverages recycled gold and black faceted beads. Based on an initial design, the beads are threaded one by one: pulling both ends of the thread brings the structure to life, revealing "an ultra-couture petal dress" in homage to the black orchid.

The recycled gold and black beads are hand-threaded one by one ©Guerlain

Porcelain adorned with Swarovski crystals

The refillable porcelain jar (Bernardaud) embellished with upcycled black Swarovski crystals lies at the center of this floral creation. Limoges-based porcelain manufacturer Bernardaud reworked the porcelain’s glaze to achieve a deep black color across the entire jar thanks to a triple firing process. The vessel is then "embroidered" using Germanier’s proprietary technique, with the crystals placed individually on each piece.

Orchidée Impériale Black's porcelain jar is glazed a deep black before being fitted with the beads ©Guerlain

"I wanted to create an extraordinary alien, an implausible flower," the artist said of his work.

Launched this June, Orchidée Impériale Black The Cream x Kevin Germanier retails at €10,000. Just 15 pieces are available.

Guerlain previously collaborated with Germanier on a limited-edition of its bee bottle in 2021. An adornment of upcycled Swarovski crystals was created for Guerlain’s iconic bee bottle made by French glassmaker Pochet du Courval. The fragrance, La Cuvée Secrète, is an eau de cologne blending notes of bergamot, petitgrain and lavender.

Germanier created his eponymous fashion brand in 2018.

Skincare jar and lidBernardaud

AdornmentKevin Germanier