On December 2nd, 2009, I had a fantastic opportunity to chat with Catherine Malandrino in her Meatpacking District store about her recent collaboration with Cointreau!

For 160 years, Cointreau has kept the same bottle, so it is no small feat to introduce this new design!  Malandrino teamed up with Cointreau to create a limited edition of their iconic Object D’Art liqueur bottle, resulting in the prestigious 2009 Silver Pentaward for package design and creativity.  Malandrino’s interpretation of the bottle is fresh and dynamic, infusing her own personality into the traditions of Cointreau , and pays homage to her two soul cities: Paris and New York.

The store, usually set up for shoppers, was lively decorated and swarming with people sipping on cocktails: Lady Liberty, concocted from Cointreau mixed with juices topped with champagne, and decorated with a flower (some people ate the flower, but I’m not positive that is normal…).

After looking at all of the beautiful clothes and dazzling accessories, I was introduced to Catherine Malandrino herself and had the opportunity to have a lovely chat with her.  She told me that she was pleasantly surprised being asked to design a bottle, at first hesitant because she is used to working with soft fabrics and not cold, hard glass.

However, she was up to the challenge because she has fond memories of the liqueur:  she recalled always seeing her grandfather among a group of gentlemen drinking Cointreau, and always associated it as a male-targeted drink.  Now with a chance to add her own feminine elements to the design, she hopes that women can also identify with the liqueur – and perhaps learn to make these delicious cocktails!

Malandrino was wearing her own designs, of course, with a pair of over-the-knee boots that were absolutely marvelous and had everyone gawking.  Though she was playing hostess for the night, she did not mind talking to anyone that came up to her and was very gracious and warm.  What an honor it was to meet such a talented designer and charming woman!

If you missed this, there will be more in-store events going on in Catherine Malandrino stores in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Americana Manhasset, and the Soho location (which takes place on December 6th, from 2 to 5 pm).  People eagerly signed up for the $250 Catherine Malandrino gift certificate being raffled off, which will also be at each stores’s event, but Ms. Malandrino’s special appearance was for one night only.

Much like her limited edition Cointreau bottle!  Get yours before it’s gone, sold exclusively at Astor Wines (at 399 Lafayette Street, New York, NY 10013).  Mix a cocktail, throw a party, and lounge in your favorite Catherine Malandrino dress!

Yours,
Von