Hennessy ushers in the Year of the Snake with a limited-edition three-piece Lunar New Year collection designed by Chinese fashion designer Shuting Qiu.

You’ll want to level up your Chinese New Year feasts with this one. Hennessy has released its annual limited-edition Lunar New Year collection, and this year the leading Cognac brand is collaborating with Shanghai-based couturier Shuting Qiu to design the series.

We know how Hennessy loves a good celebration, and when it comes to this part of the world that’s Chinese New Year. Last year we saw how the maison tapped visionary Chinese artist Yang Yongliang for its Year of the Dragon set; this time it’s his compatriot, fashion designer Shuting Qiu.

For those not familiar with Qiu, the Shanghai native is an innovative and rising star in the fashion world known for her avant-garde approach to design. Her collections are almost always a riot of colours, fusing intricate craftsmanship with a combination of striking colours, eclectic prints, and striking, often asymmetric silhouettes. Qiu draws influence from traditional Chinese techniques, often incorporating intricate embroidery and floral motifs into her designs.

Chinese fashion designer Shuting Qiu loves her vibrant colours and intricate designs.

And that’s what she brings to her Hennessy collection, entitled ‘Reimagination’. Inspired by her cultural heritage and the vigour of spring, Qiu brings her love for bright colours and intricate patterns to emblazon Hennessy’s signature V.S.O.P, X.O, and Paradis bottles. Her flourishes include stylised floral and snake-scale patterns inspired by jacquard, brocade, and embroidery that hail from her hometown of Hangzhou as an expression of cultural pride.

The Hennessy X.O Chinese New Year edition designed by Qiu, for example, features a matte satin finish splashed with a scintillating gradient of auspicious red and regal purple that’s topped with a golden cork, while its gift box comes adorned with Qiu’s distinctive floral motifs in red and gold crafted entirely from recyclable paper.

Hennessy Year of the Snake edition XO and VSOP.

The Hennessy V.S.O.P. similarly comes with a matte satin finish, but instead comes marked with a neck and label of red floral print on yellow; its gift box comes emblazoned with four exclusive fabric designs inspired by traditional Chinese motifs and the snake. Fashionistas would love to know that the V.S.O.P edition even comes packaged with a patterned linen bag designed by Qiu that makes for a fashionable and functional accessory.

Then there’s the pinnacle of the collection, the limited-edition Paradis. This comes in vibrant red coiled with a moire snakeskin print, along with a patterned leather collar.

“Hennessy has a long-lasting connection with Chinese culture, grounded in 164 years of shared history, also made of rich artistic collaboration. And it is a great pleasure to welcome Shuting Qiu to embody the spirit with which we usher Chinese New Year festivities,” says CEO of Hennessy, Laurent Boillot.

Hennessy Paradis Year of the Snake edition as designed by Shuting Qiu.

“Her designs epitomise a harmonious fusion of tradition and contemporary flair, offering with elegance a fitting homage to our common cultural heritage,” Boillot adds.

And in case you think it’s just a commercial partnership? “My family and I often drink Hennessy during Chinese 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,” shares Shuting Qiu.

“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 Chinese designer. The Hennessy carafes are classics, and this is similar to fashion in that every brand has its classic silhouettes, unique designs and colours.”

The limited edition Hennessy Year of the Snake Collection designed by Shuting Qiu is available from all major supermarkets.


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