Veuve Clicquot will unveil Chasing the Sun, a new design collaboration with British-Nigerian artist Yinka Ilori, during Milan Design Week 2026, marking a continued expansion of the Maison's presence within the global design landscape.
© Veuve Clicquot
Rooted in the brand's heritage and its iconic yellow identity, the project reflects what Veuve Clicquot describes as a renewed focus on "cultivating joy and optimism." The collaboration brings together the Maison's legacy with Ilori's multidisciplinary approach, which spans architecture, furniture and visual storytelling. Known as the "Architect of Joy," Ilori introduces a vibrant visual language centred on themes of light, connection and positivity.
At the core of the project is a limited-edition collection of functional design objects, developed as gifting pieces to accompany the brand's Yellow Label and Rosé cuvées. Each item is described as part of "a limited-edition series of luminous, functional, and meant-to-be cherished gifting objects," combining decorative patterns with practical use.
Key pieces include the Sun Holder, a reinterpretation of the traditional champagne bucket, crafted using upcycled materials and 3D knitting technology. Designed to keep bottles chilled for up to 90 minutes, it is presented as both a functional and symbolic object. Similarly, the Sun Totems reimagine portable drinking vessels as sculptural forms, intended to "turn everyday habits into joyful rituals."
© Veuve Clicquot
The collection also revisits the brand's signature Clicquot Arrow, reimagined through Ilori's graphic language with new patterns that celebrate identity and creativity.
Ilori describes the concept as a reflection on personal and collective energy, stating: "In this world, you are the sun that you chase." The collaboration draws on symbolism from his Nigerian heritage, including references to the calabash, reinforcing themes of growth, community and shared experience.
The collection will be presented through an immersive installation during Milan Design Week from 21 to 26 April, bringing Ilori's visual universe to life within a spatial context. Following its debut, the limited-edition pieces will be rolled out globally from summer 2026.
Through Chasing the Sun, Veuve Clicquot continues to position design as a key platform for brand expression, aligning craftsmanship, innovation and cultural storytelling within the broader European design discourse.
More information:
Veuve Clicquot
www.veuveclicquot.com
