Wallpaper 7

To enjoy Hennessy X.O cognac, acknowledges designer

Marc Newson, is to embark on a unique and richly hued,

multisensory experience. ’We smell it, we examine it,’ says

Newson. ‘Before we taste it, we swirl it around to make a

full exploration of its colours and deep textures.’

In designing a glass bottle to amplify and enhance a

cognac created in 1870, Newson has taken the brand’s

classic decanter shape and created a dynamic variation that

breaks with convention.

For the new Hennessy X.O by Marc Newson, he has added

rose-tinted gold detailing to the decanter’s bottleneck seal,

furnishing the cloche-shaped vessel with the sensuous

physicality of an art deco building. To showcase the design,

he has also created a clear transparent gift box in a complex

plastic material.

’The classic Hennessy X.O decanter has a wonderful,

fundamental shape. Its contents have transcended time and

continue to exist in a very contemporary way,’ says Newson.

‘What I wanted to do was use design to magnify the blend –

its colour and sensorial qualities.’

In redesigning the bottle, says Newson, he was inspired

by a lifelong fascination with glass. ‘Glass is a very fluid

and organic material. Once you get to know it, it becomes

a fascinating medium to work with.’

As the X.O bottle was reconsidered, its signature ribbed

design became a focus. ‘Straight lines seemed to me a more

modern interpretation of what already existed,’ explains

Newson. ‘The stripes really emphasise the strength of the

decanter’s shape. When they catch the light, they highlight

both the bottle and the contents, making the whole feel

warmer, more tactile. Taken together, all of these design

elements are meant to convey the unique, immersive

experience of X.O.’ wallpaper.com/w-bespoke/hennessyxo

Please drink responsibly

Photography: Richard Foster Set design: Keays & Kempton

Ahead of the curve

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