Top: Head Cutter & Creative Director Campbell Carey with Mathieu Roland-Billecart, CEO and 7th generation of the Billecart-Salmon dynasty in the Huntsman club, with the Billecart Tweed & the champagne that inspires it.
Below: Huntsman Managing Director Taj Phull enjoys a glass of champagne with Mathieu and Campbell at 11 Savile Row, whilst designing the tweed.
At the heart of this collaboration is Huntsman's innovative approach to fabric design, inspired by the terroir and artistry of Billecart-Salmon. The result is a bespoke tweed that embodies the essence of Champagne, meticulously crafted. In creating the exclusive Billecart Tweed, Huntsman Head Cutter & Creative Director Campbell Carey worked closely with Mathieu Roland-Billecart, CEO and 7th generation of the Billecart-Salmon dynasty. They explored the landscape and heritage that culminates in the savoir-faire synonymous with Billecart-Salmon.
Top: Campbell Carey begins cutting a sports coat in the Billecart Tweed
Below: Inspecting the cloth
The resulting cloth is a subtle tweed with an enduring sophistication, designed to look as dashing in a classic sports coat as it does in upholstery, as this tweed has been used to furnish the dining suite in the newly renovated Billecart guest dining room. In turn, Billecart-Salmon is the official champagne of the Huntsman Club and is fashioned into luxurious picnic blankets, inviting clients to experience the essence of both brands in the epitome of style and comfort.
"The creation of this bespoke tweed and its application underscores the parallels between the art of tailoring and the craftsmanship of champagne-making," notes Taj Phull, Managing Director of Huntsman. "Both pursuits require a deep understanding of tradition, combined with a visionary approach to creating something truly exceptional."
The tweed takes inspiration from both the process and the finished product itself in a harmonious blend of land and libation, where each part of the journey is honoured. The silver-grey base of the cloth is inspired by the stainless steel tanks in which the champagne is stored and the silver foil that tops every bottle of Billecart Champagne. On this, three colours are applied: green to represent the lush vineyards, purple in homage to the Pinot Noir, the ‘king grape’ of Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, home to the Billecart Estate, and a soft, natural white inspired by flowers on the vine and the all-important foam from when you first pour a glass of champagne. All great tweed finds its origins in nature. Just as the terrior within the Champagne region is unique, the Billecart Tweed is a departure from the hues found in the estate tweeds of the British Isles.
"Huntsman are the masters of bespoke, and at Billecart-Salmon, we do our own bespoke. We adapt to what nature gives us every year to produce the finest champagne." – Mathieu Roland-Billecart, CEO & 7th generation of Billecart-Salmon.
Photography ©Leif Carlsson