It’s not unusual for spirits brands and world-renowned artists to collaborate on limited-edition packaging. Surprisingly though, Bombay Sapphire has never commissioned an artist-designed bottle in its 34-year history, though they support artists through initiatives such as martini glass design contests and its “Stir Creativity” platform, as well as the “Bombay Sapphire Artisan Series.”
For Bombay Sapphire’s first artists’ bottle, the gin maker enlisted contemporary Chicago mixed-media artist Hebru Brantley, whose work was showcased by the spirits brand’s artisan series in 2011.
The Hebru Brantley X Bombay Sapphire limited-edition bottle retains the original shape and logo, and while the brand name uses the same type, it now gets a dark outline. Brantley’s use of comic-book style script fonts is on-theme and applied to good effect, unlike memos from HR or lost cat posters. The brands’ signature blue remains but features lively and energetic artwork in Brantley’s trademark style that borrows from pop art and culture, especially from the superhero and cartoon genre, and it shines through his Afro-futuristic prism. Hebru Brantley’s early passion for street art is also on display and represented in his bottle design.
In addition to the limited-edition bottle, Bombay Sapphire will also donate to the Chicago chapter of Black Lives Matter.
“We are honored that our first artist edition is with Hebru Brantley, whose work we have admired and supported for a long time,” said Tom Spaven, NA Brand Director for Bombay Sapphire in a press release. “Bombay Sapphire has always been a champion for equal representation in the arts, and it was absolutely essential to us that we make this donation to support the Black community.”
Bottles are available in select US states and online at ReserveBar.com.
