At the France Pavilion of the Osaka-Kansai World Expo 2025, CELINE unveils CELINE Maki-e, a special exhibition dedicated to traditional Japanese lacquer art. Running throughout the duration of the Expo, the exhibition explores the intersection of heritage and modernity through a collaboration with Wajima-based collective Hikoju Makie, who reimagine CELINE’s iconic Triomphe logo in urushi lacquer. The centerpiece works include a series of lacquered Triomphe art pieces featuring Japanese symbols such as pine, bamboo, and plum—motifs representing resilience, renewal, and grace. Complementing the handcrafted objects are two films by Japanese artist Soshi Nakamura. Ten Landscapes of Dreams transforms the Triomphe into a living form within a shifting dreamlike landscape, while Hands at Work draws poetic parallels between CELINE’s savoir-faire and the philosophy behind Japanese craft.
Exclusive Triomphe bags designed for the show reflect traditional Japanese aesthetics through color and symbolism—vermillion for renewal, black for elegance, and gold for vitality—each adorned with a plum blossom. According to Master Takashi Wakamiya of Hikoju Makie, the collaboration embodies a Zen-inspired approach to art: creating harmony between humanity, craftsmanship, and nature. The exhibition is more than a showcase—it’s a spiritual and aesthetic journey bridging French luxury and Japanese tradition. Through CELINE Maki-e, the House celebrates 80 years of creative legacy by honoring a culture that shares its dedication to detail, refinement, and timeless beauty.
Photography courtesy of CELINE