Perrier’s Bottle Gets A Historic Makeover From Renowned Designer Philippe Starck

Images courtesy of Perrier

Perrier, a brand synonymous with bubbly delight, is ringing in its 160th birthday with a fresh twist on its renowned green bottle. Dubbed Perrier+Starck, this limited-edition reincarnation will make its global debut this October. The mastermind behind this reimagining? None other than visionary French industrial architect and designer Philippe Starck.

Rewind to 1906: St John Harmsworth, the British brainchild of the Perrier brand, sculpted the signature green bottle, taking cues from Indian juggling clubs—a nod to his daily workout regime. Over time, the bottle’s elegant curves have graced the royal tables at Buckingham Palace and inspired striking brand imagery, all the while retaining its quintessential shape, turning it into a global emblem.

However, Starck’s iteration is not just a makeover, but an ode to the bottle’s legacy. He’s the first creator called in by the brand to redefine the bottle’s silhouette, says Perrier. Still, even with all this freedom in his hands, he chose to honor its shape.

Image courtesy of Perrier

Instead, he reimagines its contours with tactile, horizontal etchings, drawing parallels with Perrier’s vivacious effervescence and its enigmatic blend of water and bubbles. In Starck’s hands, the Perrier vessel transforms into a work of art that marries its traditional aesthetic with innovative allure.

“Keeping the essence of an icon unaltered, it’s possible to distort and play with the shape to apply current parameters to a timeless form,” he notes. “This is what I did with the addition of this highly technical horizontal grooving, which creates a natural rigidity.”

The designer’s inspiration? Fresnel’s optical lens. Developed in 1823 by French engineer Augustin Fresnel, this lens boasts a unique pattern of carved ridges, channeling rays to enhance the light’s consistency and intensity. Celebrating its 200th anniversary this year, the Fresnel lens not only revamped maritime signaling but continues to impact today’s technology, from projectors to solar cells.

“As a child, I always used to be afraid that the bottle would slip from my hands,” Starck recalls. “I would clutch it very tightly, to the point where it hurt. This is why I chose this striated pattern. The bottle clings to me, I cling to the bottle: another form of play. And you’ll see it, in this new bottle, the bubbles are absolutely out of this world.”

Elaborating on this “optical surprise,” the designer details: “When you view the bubbles through the streaks, the bottle creates an optical play inspired by a Fresnel lens and the way it diffracts light.”

He further reflects on the emotional connection he aimed to establish, adding, “When the palm connects with the streaks on the glass, this magical blend of sand and fire born of human hands, you feel something else. It’s not shock, but emotion: beauty that borders on poetry, something consistent and harmonious, something pure, like water.”

Come mid-October, enthusiasts can snag the Perrier+Starck bottles, available in two sizes, 31.1cl and 72.7cl. A toast to Perrier’s enduring energy!

[via Perrier, images courtesy]