Belvedere Vodka Launches Laolu Senbanjo 2018 Limited Edition Bottle During New York Fashion Week

Tony Bowles
Sep 7, 2018 · 2 min read
Helena Christensen (L) and Laolu Senbanjo (R) walk in the finale of the Belvedere Vodka Launch of Laolu Senbanjo 2018 Limited Edition bottle during New York Fashion Week at The Whitney Museum Of American Art on September 6, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew Toth/Getty Images for Belvedere)

Last night, fashion and society elite kicked off New York Fashion Week at the Whitney Museum of American Art to launch the Belvedere Vodka X Laolu Senbanjo 2018 Limited Edition Bottle, in support of Global Funds’ (RED) efforts to help eradicate HIV/AIDS in Africa, designed by acclaimed visual artist, Senbanjo.

With runway appearances by lauded models — led by Martha Hunt, Helena Christensen and Nolan Funk — who were painted by Laolu Senbanjo, the visual artist and activist best known for his body-painting featured in Beyoncé’s Grammy Award-winning album, “Lemonade,” the night celebrated Belvedere and Laolu’s joint mission to reveal the unexpected beauty in the world.

The painted story, depicted through each of models’ bodies, brought to life the artist’s interpretation of the beauty, nuance, and complexity of the Belvedere liquid using Sebanjo’s own Afromysterics design which draws heavily from ancient Nigerian symbols and patterns, as well as his Yoruba heritage.

Martha Hunt walks the runway during the Belvedere Vodka Launch of Laolu Senbanjo 2018 Limited Edition bottle during New York Fashion Week at The Whitney Museum Of American Art on September 6, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew Toth/Getty Images for Belvedere

Following the runway show, the Belvedere Vodka X Laolu Senbanjo 2018 Limited Edition Bottle was revealed on stage to guests, portraying a visually captivating design which embodied the ethos shared by Belvedere and Laolu himself.

The exclusive NYFW event featured sounds by The Misshapes drew an illustrious crowd of well-heeled guests including Andi Dorfman, Jackie Cruz, Kelly Bensimon, Alicia Quarles and Alex Lundqvist who mingled, danced, and swilled colorful Belvedere Vodka cocktails created for the launch including Blank Canvas, Dreamscape, Between the Lines and Dark Flower throughout the evening.

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