Raes Artist in Residence: COMMAS X Maison Perrier-Jouët

For the second year, luxury hotel Raes in Byron Bay has announced its annual Artist in Residency programme in partnership with Champagne Perrier-Jouët. Collaborating with luxury swim and resort label COMMAS for the 2020 alignment in an exclusive capsule collection of five garments influenced by the unique energy, architecture and colour of the luxury boutique hotel, coupled with the European artistic heritage of Perrier-Jouët’s Maison Belle Epoque. 

Comprising four gender neutral pieces and a pair of the COMMAS classic swim shorts, each in an original print artwork designed exclusively for the hotel; a striped wave-like movement reflecting the unique curved architecture synonymous to Raes and the property surrounds – sun, sand and ocean. 

Inspired by an aquatic lifestyle, COMMAS was chosen for the partnership as one of Australia’s most desired resort brands, crafted locally yet with a refined European sensibility; something which resonated deeply with both Raes and Perrier-Jouët for supporting local talent yet with a distinctive international edge. 

Raes General Manager Francesca Webster said COMMAS was invited for the 2020 project due to their ethos as an artistic leisure fashion label that is both local yet with a European aesthetic. 

“Commas is a brand that Raes and Perrier-Jouët are so very excited to work with. A local company with a European heartbeat that resonates with us all. Now more than ever it is a time to be showcasing the talents that originate and are accessible on our own shores. 

“Richard has designed a capsule collection that suits our mutual clienteles perfectly. The pieces transport you to a time of pure escape and leisure. We can’t wait to share what we have all created,” she said.

Perrier-Jouët has a longstanding history of supporting visionary, artistic talent across the globe. Since its 1902 collaboration with Art Nouveau pioneer Emile Gallé, creator of the anemone design for its Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque prestige cuvée, the house has commissioned work from established and emerging artists across the world including Daniel Arsham, Noé Duchaufour-Lawrance, Miguel Chevalier, Makoto Azuma, Tord Boontje, Studio Glithero and Simon Heijdens, and more recently Vik Muniz, mischer’traxler, Ritsue Mishima, Andrew Kudless and Luftwerk. 

Taking up residence at Raes to draw inspiration for the collection, COMMAS founder and designer Richard Jarman researched Raes’ original finishings as well as the heritage of Perrier-Jouët’s Maison Belle Epoque in Épernay, France, drawing inspiration from the spirit of both.

“The sun-drenched property has the most fascinating history which draws me in year after year – the pool and gardens rumoured to have been designed by Salvador Dali; the original restaurant, coincidentally named La Belle Epoque; the tiles sourced from a Javanese Palace; every nook of the hotel has a story and that’s where I’ve drawn the inspiration for the collection,” Jarman said. 

Of Perrier-Jouët’s Maison Belle Epoque, which houses Europe’s largest private collection of French Art Nouveau, Jarman’s research delved into the Perrier-Jouët family’s long-time love of collecting of art and its renowned support for artists around the world. 

The collection includes a long and short sleeve shirt, a walk short and a beach bag, each crafted with fine breathable linens and cottons perfect for a summer holiday; with the mid-length swim short crafted from luxury Italian hardware and Spanish polyamide.

The Raes x Perrier-Jouët Artist in Residence represents the first collaboration for COMMAS on Australian soil and comes at a time when supporting Australian travel and business is more crucial than ever.  

“I’ve spent a lot of time at Raes in recent years, it almost feels like a second home. There is so much to love; the ocean lapping on Wategoes as you fall asleep, the golden sunrise and sunset observed by the beach, the excellence and warmth of the staff. I have channelled my passion for the hotel into this collection.” he said. 

Raes established the Artist in Residency program with Perrier-Jouët in 2019 with a likeminded synergy to support local and international creatives. 

With art intrinsically part of the decadent history of Maison Perrier-Jouët, serving as one of the key sources of inspiration for the elaboration of its cuvées for over 200 years, the Raes 2020 Artist in Residency collaboration with COMMAS, following 2019’s residency with French-Australian artist Stanislas Piechaczek, will express a decadent dialogue between champagne, art and lifestyle.   

The pieces are available for purchase from 1 September via raes.com.au and commas.cc.