Maison Hennessy reveals a new collaboration for Lunar New Year 2025, the Year of the Snake, with a vibrant limited-edition collection by fashion designer Shuting Qiu.
In a fusion of fashion and luxury, the collection, called ‘Reimagination,’ is in honour of the snake, which is about renewal and positive transformation, leaving behind the past and embracing new beginnings, for those who celebrate. Vibrant, abstract interpretations of a snake writhe across the carafe designs, using splashes of colour and prints, such as ancient brocade patterns, to reflect the texture and scales of the snake body.
Shuting Qiu, who is originally from Hangzhou and now based in Shanghai has drawn inspiration from her cultural heritage. Looking to the jacquard fabric, brocade and embroidery prints traditionally used in clothing and textiles in her hometown, Qiu has reimagined the symbolic floral motifs and abstract snake scale patterns to adorn Hennessy’s iconic VSOP and X.O. With base colours of red, each bottle tells a unique story, and as a nod to Hennessy’s heritage, the snake’s movements through the patterns evokes the Charente River in Cognac.
Taking inspiration from the different blends, Qiu has created two distinct works of art to dress each of the Hennessy bottles:
The V.S.O.P edition is, as described by Qiu, ‘youthful and energetic,’ covered in vibrant red floral motifs alongside Hawaiian-inspired elements in an artistic celebration of colour. It features a combination of plaid and abstract snake scale silhouettes, symbolising renewal and legacy. A blend of four distinct Shuting Qiu-designed patterns featuring traditional motifs and an abstract representation of the snake weaves through it. Qiu has used embossing techniques on the gift box to create texture, mirroring how she creates texture with sequins and glitter in her fabric designs.
The X.O edition is bold and dynamic with rich shades of red, gold and blue, featuring lozenge shapes inspired by traditional motifs and a gold cork. Shuting Qiu’s interpretation of transformation and renewal is reflected in the embossed snake design, which glides across the print. Its recyclable giftbox features an embossed blend of patterns with an almost fabric like texture.
All are perfect as either a gift during the Lunar New Year season, or to enjoy whilst seeing friends and family in the new year – perhaps served over ice and paired with food, or as part of celebratory New Year cocktails such as ‘The Snake’ (recipe included) below. The carafes even work as a centerpiece in the home.
“Hennessy has given me an opportunity to share my ideas and vision with the world, which is an incredible platform for me, as a young designer. The Hennessy carafes are classics, and this is similar to fashion in that every brand has its classic silhouettes, unique designs and colours. My family and I often drink Hennessy during Lunar New Year, and my friends drink it when we hang out – it’s a great versatile drink, but my favourite way to drink it is simply over ice,” says Shuting Qiu.
Growing up in Hangzhou, Shuting Qiu attended the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp, living in Belgium for five years before returning to China. She credits her time there as having a big influence on work, fusing Chinese and Western elements.
“It is a great pleasure to welcome Shuting Qiu to embody the spirit with which we usher Lunar New Year festivities. Her designs epitomize a harmonious fusion of tradition and contemporary flair, offering with elegance a fitting homage to our common cultural heritage” explains CEO of Hennessy, Laurent Boillot.
