Lalique’s collaboration with James Turrell, an artist from the American southwest, marks the first time the crystal maker has teamed up with an artist for its fragrance packaging. The handmade flacons in colored crystal sport geometric shapes.
Lalique called on American light artist James Turrell for its new perfume extracts. For the bottle design, which “had to contain the light and yet allow its slight coloring to shine through,” Turrell was inspired by both Egyptian architecture and stupas found in Asia. The handmade flacons with their striking geometric shapes - angular for men’s fragrance Range Rider and soft curves for women’s fragrance Purple Sage - are in polished, colored crystal.
The half sphere and pyramid shapes were made in a “cup-like mold” pressed with a core. Obtaining crystal of a uniform thickness to ensure homogeneity and density of color was a feat, explains the glassmaker. Each fragrance flacon is engraved with the signatures of both Turrell and Lalique.
“Collaborations with great artists like James Turrell push us beyond our limits. It’s a major challenge that we welcome. It’s also a great source of pride for the glassmaking teams who have an opportunity to display their exceptional expertise,” Marc Larminaux, Artistic and Creative Director at Lalique, said in a statement.
Master perfumer Barbara Zoebelein composed the perfume extracts in line with Turrell’s vision of scents reflecting the great American West. Women’s scent Purple Sage blends notes of purple sage, mandarin, grapefruit and rhubarb. Men’s fragrance Range Rider is inspired by the ranching lifestyle, with “light notes of fresh air and sunny ozone bringing out the notes of leather chaps, sweat, horse and campfire.”
Just 100 of each fragrance bottle were created. Nestled in boxes made of exotic wood that mimic the shape of the flacons, they are adorned with a metal plate bearing the name of the perfume.
Turrell is also designing a decanter for Lalique-owned whisky brand The Glenturret.
Bottle/capLalique
Bottle designJames Turrell
PerfumerBarbara Zoebelein (Givaudan)
