Written by: Ruth L. Navarra
Chinese fashion designer Angel Chen unleashes her creativity for Lunar New Year celebrations through a collaboration with Nespresso.
The Year of the Rabbit is predicted to be calm, hopeful, and peaceful. Rabbits symbolize positivity, elegance, and beauty. Perhaps these are the words Chen applied when she was designing.
She created a beautiful white rabbit on a canvas. Its ears are relaxed and only one eye is visible. Its mouth is upturned, like it’s remembering a happy memory, while absentmindedly stirring a cup of coffee with a stick of carrot.
Chen’s whimsical take on the Chinese zodiac makes it truly collectible.
The designer said that a visit to the Nespresso Boutique inspired her. On that visit, Nespresso’s commitment to sustainability left a huge impression on her.
The impact of that is reflected in the execution of her work and the materials that she used. The “Patchwork Rabbit” is made up of excess wool, fabric, and lace appliques from her past collections that saw fusions between East and West. She also used materials from Nespresso, like jute coffee bags and capsules.
“Patchwork Rabbit” looks like something that has received a lot of love, and which now is ready to give back. You can feel its warmth with every patch, giving you the strength to start a new day. It is the same kind of feeling you get with a handmade quilt.
Limited edition
There are several ways to bring home the limited-edition design. The Nespresso X Angel Chen collection offers coffee sleeve wraps in 5-sleeve and 10-sleeve assortments. They come in the Lunar New Year’s festive colors and, of course, feature the Patchwork Rabbit.
If you’ve been waiting for a sign to get your coffee machine, or if you want another one to add to your collection, then this is it.
Purchasing any Nespresso machine with one coffee sleeve will get you an Angel Chen travel mug and a red cotton pouch designed with the Patchwork Rabbit.
Even the pouch keeps up with the Patchwork Rabbit theme. It is made of sustainable and upcycled materials. There’s also another way to obtain the pouch without getting a new machine, and that’s to buy 10 sleeves of Nespresso coffee instead.
In a L’Officiel Malaysia interview, Chen said that she is one of the first Nespresso owners in China. Her first encounter happened in 2006, while she was in a Dubai hotel with her family. She fell in love with Nespresso immediately and soon became one of its loyal fans.
“Nespresso has always reminded me of the warmth of this particular family time, which gives this collaboration a special meaning during the reunion season,” she said in that interview.
It comes as no surprise that the collaboration has brought about two recipes that celebrate the Lunar New Year and family get-togethers.
The Peanut Mocha drink uses Nespresso Master Origins Nicaragua, chocolate syrup, peanut butter spread and milk. Coffee-loving family members will enjoy creamy and nutty cups of coffee. Expect praises and compliments when this is served. The hosts are not compelled to reveal that they got a little help from Aeroccino 3.
The recipe of Sweet Reunion is a nod to Chen’s favorite fruit, the pomelo. It needs the World Explorations Shanghai Lungo capsule to make. Other ingredients include pomelo, honey jam, apple juice, a few slices of apples, and three ice cubes.
Pomelo, in Chinese, is pronounced as “bless.” Its round shape is considered lucky and associated with family reunions. This might be Chen’s favorite, but this could also be made into any family’s favorite.
The limited-edition Nespresso and Angel Chen collection is available at Nespresso boutiques located in Power Plant Mall, Podium Mall, Robinsons Magnolia, One Bonifacio High Street Mall, Mitsukoshi BGC, and Ayala Center Cebu, pop-up stores in Greenbelt 5, Shangri-La Plaza, TriNoma, Alabang Town Center, and SM Mall of Asia; or at www.nespresso.ph. Follow @nespresso.ph on Instagram or on Facebook for more information.
ADVT.