Behold Nigo's final collaboration with Penfolds

Nigo must be one of the busiest men in fashion. More than just one of the best-dressed guys out there, he's a globally-recognised creative visionary with an expansive CV. The Japanese founder and former owner of A Bathing Ape (Bape) heads up his own brand Humanmade, which he launched with Pharrell Williams in 2010, and two further brands Billionaire boys Club and ICECREAM. He's the artistic director of Kenzo, a role which he took on in September 2021 following Kenzo Takada's death, while he's a frequent collaborator with Louis Vuitton: in 2020 he collaborated with the late Virgil Abloh on a capsule collection, while in January of this year he worked with Pharrell to deliver a co-signed Autumn/Winter 2025 collection for the luxury house. To launch the collection, the duo staged a traditional fashion week show, which was in part an exhibition dedicated to their shared collaborations and solo projects over the years, of which there were hundreds.

But his dedication to creating clothes hasn't stopped the time-restricted Nigo from lending his artistic capabilities to other industries. Case in point: he's been working hard with Penfolds, the Australian pioneer of wine, to bring his punchy design aesthetic to their wine bottles and characteristic packaging. Since 2023, Penfolds has enlisted NIGO as its first creative partner and the multi-year relationship has seen him lead the creative vision for selected Penfolds projects, beginning with the global release of One by Penfolds, followed by the first-ever limited edition design for Penfolds most iconic wine - the globally-revered Grange -, and ending with the new release, which takes the form of the Penfolds 65F by NIGO. In between he also worked on the Holiday Designed by NIGO drop in, which was released in October 2024.

With the end of the collaborative project in sight, NIGO and Penfolds wanted to create something that not only looked to the future, but also harked back to the archives of the established winery. Imagined by NIGO following his first visit to the Penfolds Magill Estate in South Australia in 2022, the design of Penfolds 65F by NIGO is inspired by the graphic red and white chimney which has towered over the winery for almost 100 years, serving as a hallmark of Penfolds' rich heritage. In short: it's unlike any other packaging you'll see on the shelves of your local wine merchant. But then again, this is NIGO we're working with here.

For the final drop in their collaboration, NIGO sourced Penfolds' archival material for inspiration. A chalkboard wine tag with coinciding chalk pencil pays homage to the chalk boards used in the original working winery at Penfolds Magill Estate. Not just a nod to the brand's history, it also allows the opportunity for personalisation of the wine.

Meanwhile, the bottle label isn't just your standard stick-on seller. Instead, thanks to NIGO's deep dive into the archives, it features a design which takes inspiration from the pressed bottle labels from the 1930-50s. What's more, the tissue paper wrapping the bottle has been features from the Penfolds logo style used in the early 20th century. The best bit about it all? NIGO, in reference to the aforementioned chimneys, has created a chimney smoke-shaped stopper.

But for those who are invested in the bottle and casing, but want the classic Penfolds juice inside, fear not, because NIGO's left that as it is. Masterfully matured in 100 per cent French oak barriques, the 2021 vintage featured in this limited-edition NIGO-designed bottle is made blending Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz, which is a Penfolds signature. Extremely light on the tongue, but powerfully heavy with notes of blackcurrant, dark chocolate, and spicy oak it's a vintage that is made in Australia, sourcing fruit from Coonawarra, Wrattonbully, McLaren Vale, Padthaway, Barossa Valley and Adelaide Hills.

Penfolds 65F by NIGO Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 2021 is available globally from Thursday 27 February 2025 at penfolds.com and harrods.com

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